Polyether-polyurethanes (PUs) with a series of carbohydrate crosslinkers: monosaccharide (glucose), disaccharide (fructose) and polysaccharide (starch), were synthesized. The kinetics of swelling was studied in industrially important solvents like toluene, xylene and chlorobenzene. The R value and diol / triol ratio were varied to study the effect on crosslink density and sorption. It was observed that the swelling extent increased with increasing concentration of crosslinker in the polymer. Interestingly the effect of diisocyanate concentration on extent of sorption varied with the type of carbohydrate used for crosslinking. Considering the effect of diisocyanate concentration, the PUs containing disaccharide sucrose showed greater solvent uptake. Though the sorption behaviours were different, the solubility parameters of all PUs were the same irrespective of the type and concentration of the crosslinkers. All the PUs were observed to be biodegradable with glucose containing PUs exhibiting highest weight loss. Scanning electron microscope revealed absence of phase segregation in all the PU systems. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 115:1296-1305, 2010