A silicon-containing water-borne polyurethane (PU) polymer with hydroxyl side groups was synthesized that was stable in basic conditions and also capable of reacting with a reactive dye to form a covalently bonded dye molecule. The silicon-containing anionic water-borne PU prepolymer was synthesized from H-12-4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (H-12-MDI), polytetramethylene glycol, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), 2,2'-bis(hydroxymethyl), propionic acid (anionic centers), and triethyleneamine using the prepolymer mixing method. Water was then added to emulsify and disperse the resin to form an anionic water-borne PU prepolymer. N-(2-Hydroxyethyl ethylene diamine) (HEDA) was used to extend the prepolymer to form a water-borne PU polymer with a side chain of hydroxyl groups, which can further react with the reactive dye to form a dyed PU. The reactive dye of chlorosulfuric acid esters of sulfatoethyl sulfones can react with the water-borne PU polymer. Behaviors of alkali resistance and dyeing properties were observed. In consideration of thermal properties, the dye-grafted PU polymers exhibited lower glass-transition temperatures for soft segments and hard segments than those without dye. Concerning mechanical properties, it was found that the modulus and the strength of the dyed PU polymers decreased with grafting of the dye molecule, but elongation at break was increased. The alkali resistance increased with PDMS content. For dye-uptake properties, the percentage of dye grafting was over 90%. Also, the dye-grafted PU exhibited a lower percentage of dye migration than that of polymers with ethylene diamine instead of HEDA as a chain extender, and showed greater colorfastness to light. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.