Gravimetric measurements of thermodesorption of n-hexane and n-heptane were performed under quasi-equilibrium conditions. Differential thermodesorption profiles for ZSM-5 and ZSM-11 showed two peaks, but for Y zeolites, only one thermodesorption peak was observed. A model function, derived from the Langmiur adsorption model. was fitted to the experimental data, and the model parameters (the adsorption entropy and enthalpy) were estimated. The two-step desorption profiles observed for ZSM-5 and ZSM-11 were attributed to the commensurate freezing effect, i.e. a transition in the adsorbed phase resulting in ordering of the adsorbed molecules in the zeolite channels. The results observed for ZSM-11 indicate that the zigzag channels typical for ZSM-5 micropore system are not necessary for this transition to occur. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.