The densities, p of binary mixtures of methyl acrylate (MA) with benzene, toluene, o-xylene, m-xylene, p-xylene, and mesitylene, including those of pure liquids. over the entire composition range were measured at temperatures (293.15, 298.15, 303.15, 308.15. 313.15, and 318.15) K and atmospheric pressure. From the experimental data. the excess molar volume, V-m(E), partial molar volumes. (V) over bar (center dot)(m,1) and (V) over bar (center dot)(m,2), and excess partial molar volumes, (V) over bar (center dot E)(m,1) and (V) over bar (center dot E)(m,2) at infinite dilution were calculated. The V-m(E) values were found negative over the whole composition range for all the mixtures and at each temperature studied, except for MA+mesitylene which exhibit positive V-m(E) values, indicating the presence of specific interactions between MA and aromatic hydrocarbon molecules. The deviations in values follow the order: benzene<toluene<p-xylene<m-xylene<o-xylene<mesitylene. It is observed that V-m(E) values depend upon the number and position of the methyl groups in these aromatic hydrocarbons. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.