The article reports experimental values of density (rho), speed of sound (u), viscosity (eta) and refractive index (n(D)) for the binary systems, (L-ascorbic acid + water) and (sodium ascorbate + water) over the concentration range (0.01 to 0.75) mol . kg(-1) at temperatures (T = 278.15, 288.15 and 298.15) K. From these experimental results, apparent molar volume (V-phi) of solute, isentropic compressibility of solution (kappa(S)) apparent molar isentropic compressibility (kappa(phi)) of solute and relative viscosity of solution (eta(f)) have been calculated. The limiting apparent molar volume (V-phi(0)) of solute, limiting apparent molar isentropic compressibility (kappa(0)(phi)) limiting apparent molar expansivity (E-phi(0)) of solute, coefficient of thermal expansion (alpha(+)) and hydration number (n(H)) of water soluble vitamins have been obtained. The experimental values of relative viscosity were used to calculate Falkenhagen coefficient A and Jones-Dole coefficient B. The transition state theory has been used to calculate the Gibbs free energy of activation of viscous flow per mole of solvent (Delta mu(0#)(1)) and per mole of solute (Delta mu(0#)(2)). The related activation parameters like Delta S-2(0#) and Delta H-2(0#) have also been calculated. From the results obtained, a discussion was carried out in terms of interactions and structure factor (in the framework of "structure-making'' and "structure-breaking'' solutes) in these binary mixtures. (c) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.