Equilibrium distribution properties of volatile solutes at dilute concentrations in water and associated heat effects are critical in design of absorption and stripping operations in the chemical industries. This work is a study of the application of gas-liquid chromatographic methods to determine activity coefficients and differential heats of solution of volatile oxygenated organic solutes at dilute concentrations in water. Solute-water equilibrium was assured at all points in test columns by high levels of dispersion of water on the inert solid support. Activity coefficients at infinite dilution calculated using the equilibrium absorption vessel model of the chromatographic column were within±10% of static values while differential heats of solution at infinite dilution were within±10% of calorimetric values. Finite solute concentrations up to 5.0 mole per cent were achieved by injecting large solute samples. © 1969, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.