The series of new dyes, which structures are based on 6H-indolo[2,3-b]quinoxaline skeleton that possess characteristic electronic absorption band at a boundary of UV and visible light were tested as potential light absorbing chromophores for photoinitiated polymerization.The studied dyes can be classified into two different groups. The first is the group, so called 'the branched dyes', which structures possess the part of molecule that can rotate without restraints and are characterized by low photoinitiation ability. The second, planar and rigid group of molecules provides another chromophores, which possess quite different properties in comparison to that observed for the branched dyes. Their photoinitiation ability is comparable to that observed for many commercially available photoinitiating systems.The location of electronic absorption spectra at a boundary of UV and visible light makes the tested dyes the good candidates for the photoinitiating system applied in dental restorative materials. Their high molar absorption coefficient allows to decrease the dyes concentration in dental formulation in comparison to commonly used camphorquinone. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.