The photoreactions of 2-,3-, and 4-cyanoanisole with cis cyclo-octene, ethyl vinylether and acrylonitrile have been investigated. Additions of the cyclo-alkene reflect control of the reaction by the methoxy group to give predominantly meta cycloadducts by 2,6-attack. In contrast these arenes and ethyl vinylether undergo ortho cycloaddition which in the case of the product from the 2-arene isomer