Crosslinked octaclecene (OD) and maleic anhydride (MA) copolymer MA/OD (50 :50 mol ratios) was prepared by condensation of the prepared linear copolymer with different glycols. Ethylene glycol and polyethylene glycols having different molecular weights were used as crosslinking agents. The crosslinked copolymers were evaluated for oil-absorbency application. The effect of glycol type, composition; crosslinker wt % and type of oil on swelling properties of crosslinked polymers were studied through the oil absorption tests. The swelling parameters, such as the maximum oil absorbency (Q(max)), characteristic oil sorbency (Q), characteristic swelling time (T), and swelling rate constant (k), were evaluated for the synthesized sorbers. (c) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.