The speeds of sound u in, densities rho and refractive indices n(D) of some homologous series, such as n-alkyl ethanoates, n-alkyl propionates, methyl alkanoates, ethyl alkanoates, dialkyl malonates, and alkyl haloalkanoates, were measured in the temperature range from 298.15 to 333.15 K. Molar volume V, isentropic and isothermal compressibilities kappa(S) and kappa(T), molar refraction R-m, Eykman's constant C-m, molecular radius r, Rao's molar function R, thermal expansion coefficient alpha, thermal pressure coefficient gamma, and Flory's characteristic parameters, (ν) over tilde, P*, V*, and T* have been calculated from the measured experimental data. Applicability of Rao theory and Flory-Patterson-Pandey (FPP) theory have been examined and discussed for these alkanoates. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.