The thermodynamic stability of complexes formed between N,N-dimethylaniline (DMANI) and three ketones, namely, acetophenone (ACP), 4-chloroactophenone (ClACP) and 4-methylacetophenone (MACP) in n-hexane is extensively investigated by spectral and ultrasonic methods. The ultrasound scan was carried out in the temperature range 208.15-313.15 K and at atmospheric pressure on solutions containing equimolar concentrations of components ranging from 0.025 to 0.2 M. The existence of solute-solute interactions has also been confirmed through electronic absorption spectra analyzed with Benesi-Hildebrand theory at 303.15 K. The stability constants of the donor-acceptor complexes determined both by spectroscopic and ultrasonic methods are comparable and follow similar trends. The trend in the formation constants is discussed with structures of the components. The thermodynamic behavior of the systems was explained through the computed values of the free energy (Delta G), enthalpy (Delta H) and entropy (Delta S) changes for complex formation are computed and discussed. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.