[2+2]-Photodimerisation of monothiomaleimides has been demonstrated on functionalised linear and brush-like polymers. In water/acetonitrile (95 : 5) mixtures the rate of reaction is accelerated significantly by irradiation of the thiomaleimide end group (λmax = 350 nm) with UV light, reaching full conversion within 10 minutes.
![Graphical abstract: Synthesis and [2+2]-photodimerisation of monothiomaleimide functionalised linear and brush-like polymers](http://hg.y866.cn/compound/lib/scimg/usr/1/D0CC04067C.jpg)