A method for synthesising the photoinitiators of the general formula, in which the linker Z has the structure -C(R 3)(R 4)-Za- wherein Za is a linker moiety selected from a single bond, C 1 -C 12 alkylene, C 1 -C 12 alkenylene; -O-; -S-; -NR a -; or - [O-(C 1 -C 12 alkylene)] n -, wherein R a is H or optionally substituted C 1 -C 12 alkyl and n is an integer from 1-20; R 3 and R 4 are independently selected from H or optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl; wherein R 3 or R 4, or a part thereof, may be linked to Za to form one or more ring structures; Pi is a photoinitiator with the general formula: -(Ph)- m wherein Ph is an optionally substituted phenyl ring; wherein m is an integer of 1-5, such that m X moieties may be present at any position on Ph; and wherein X is selected from in which R is selected from H or optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl; R 1 is selected from H or optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl and R 2 = H, said method comprising the steps of: a. reacting an alcohol of the general formula IIa in which Za, R 3 and R 4 are as defined above; with an acrylonitrile of the general formula IIb in which R 1 is selected from H or optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl; in a Ritter reaction to form an acrylamide of the general formula IIc: followed by the step of (b) reacting the acrylamide of the general formula IIc in a Friedel-Crafts acylation reaction so as to provide a photoinitiator of the general formula. in which the linker Z has the structure -C(R 3)(R 4)-Za- wherein Za is a linker moiety selected from a single bond, C 1 -C 12 alkylene, C 1 -C 12 alkenylene; -O-; -S-; -NR a -; or - [O-(C 1 -C 12 alkylene)] n -, wherein R a is H or optionally substituted C 1 -C 12 alkyl and n is an integer from 1-20; R 3 and R 4 are independently selected from H or optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl; wherein R 3 or R 4, or a part thereof, may be linked to Za to form one or more ring structures; Pi is a photoinitiator with the general formula: -(Ph)- m wherein Ph is an optionally substituted phenyl ring; wherein m is an integer of 1-5, such that m X moieties may be present at any position on Ph; and wherein X is selected from in which R is selected from H or optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl; R 1 is selected from H or optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl and R 2 = H, said method comprising the steps of: a. reacting an alcohol of the general formula IIa in which Za, R 3 and R 4 are as defined above; with an acrylonitrile of the general formula IIb in which R 1 is selected from H or optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl; in a Ritter reaction to form an acrylamide of the general formula IIc: followed by the step of (b) reacting the acrylamide of the general formula IIc in a Friedel-Crafts acylation reaction so as to provide a photoinitiator of the general formula. a. reacting an alcohol of the general formula IIa in which Za, R 3 and R 4 are as defined above; with an acrylonitrile of the general formula IIb in which R 1 is selected from H or optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl; in a Ritter reaction to form an acrylamide of the general formula IIc: followed by the step of (b) reacting the acrylamide of the general formula IIc in a Friedel-Crafts acylation reaction so as to provide a photoinitiator of the general formula.