A new way towards reversible crosslinking of carboxylic elastomers was established by using the reversible [4ðs+4ðs] photodimerization reaction of anthracenes. Due to their high reactivity, anthracene molecules can be functionalized easily in particular at the positions 9 and 10. Epoxy-functionalized anthracene derivatives were synthesized which were attached to the side chains of carboxylated rubber materials. Upon UV irradiation (ë > 300 nm) in the presence of nitrogen, anthracene groups undergo a photochemical cycloaddition reaction resulting in the formation of photodimers and thus in crosslinking of the rubber chains. The photodimers can be reverted to anthracene monomers with UV light (ë < 300 nm) or through thermal treatment. The reversible nature of the network structure was studied in detail via equilibrium swelling measurements. UV-Vis spectroscopy along with mechanical testing was applied to characterize the crosslinking kinetics and to evaluate the reversibility of the photoreaction. Based on these studies, a high degree of reversion could be obtained. High crosslink yields enabled the production of structured films patterned upon UV irradiation which were investigated by means of light and confocal microscopy.