The synthesis of a series of monomers containing isopropenylphenoxy groups was carried out. On irradiation with UV light in the presence of onium salt photoacid generators, these monomers undergo a chain extension reaction consisting of a dimerization followed by a Friedel-Crafts ring closure which results in the formation of polymers with indane groups in the backbone. Aryl imide-containing monomers bearing isopropenylphenoxy groups were also shown to undergo facile photoinduced cationic polymerization. The resulting polymers displayed excellent thermal stability.