(Liquid + liquid) equilibrium (LLE) for the ternary systems of {water + acetone + diethyl carbonate (DEC)} and (water + 2-butanone + DEC) were determined at T = (293.15, 298.15, 303.15, 313.15) K and p = 100 kPa. The reliability of the experimental LLE was verified by the Othmer-Tobias and Bachman equations. The experimental LLE values were correlated with the modified and extended UNIQUAC models. Distribution coefficients and separation factors were calculated from the LLE data to evaluate the extraction capability of the organic solvents. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd.