A borate compound for use as photoinduced chemical bleaching reagent is disclosed having improved bleaching performance under certain conditions, compared to neutral borates. The compounds are comprised of Formula I; R1R2R3R4BXa   I where each R1, R2, and R3 and R4 is, independently, an alkyl, alkylaryl, or arylalkyl, with the proviso that at least one of R1, R2, and R3 and R4 is an alkyl group and at least two of R1, R2, R3 and R4 group is positively charged; X is an anion; and a equals 1, 2, or 3.