The invention relates to organic compounds having a molecular weight of less than 1000 comprising at least one structural unit of the formula (I) in which R1 is an aromatic or heteroaromatic radical which is capable of absorbing light in the wavelength range from 200 to 650 nm and in doing so brings about cleavage of the adjacent carbon-nitrogen bond. The compounds represent photoinitiators for base-catalyzable reactions. Other subjects of the invention are base-polymerizable or crosslinkable compositions comprising compounds having a structural unit of the formula I, a method of implementing photochemically induced, base-catalyzed reactions, and the use of the compounds as photoinitiators for base-catalyzed reactions.