Liquid-liquid equilibrium (LLE) data were determined for the quaternary systems of {(water + methanol or ethanol) + m-xylene + n-dodecane} at three temperatures 298.15, 303.15 and 313.15 K and atmospheric pressure. The composition of liquid phases at equilibrium was determined by gas-liquid chromatography and the results were correlated with the UNIQUAC and NRTL activity coefficient models. The partition coefficients and the selectivity factor of the solvent are calculated and compared. The phase diagrams for the quaternary systems including both the experimental and correlated tie lines are presented. (c) 2005 Published by Elsevier B.V.