Crosslinked polyorthocarbonates were synthesized by the condensation of tetraethyl orthocarbonate and hydroxyl functional monomers. The main goal of this study was to produce a solvent-absorbent polymer with a high absorption capacity and to use these polymers for the removal of organic solvents from the environment and the recovery of these solvents. The synthesized polymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, solid-state C-13-NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. All of the polymers (except Poly 1 and Poly 2) had a high and fast uptake ability for organic solvents, such as tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, benzene, and acetone. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 121: 3300-3305, 2011