The invention provides a novel compound useful as a highly-sensitive photopolymerization initiator that has excellent stability, low sublimability, excellent developability, and
high transmittance in the visible region and that efficiently absorbs, and is activated by, near-
ultraviolet rays such as at 365 nm. Also provided are a photopolymerization initiator and a photosensitive composition using the above-described compound. Specifically, the invention provides an
oxime ester compound represented by the following general formula (I), a photopolymerization initiator containing the same, and a photosensitive composition containing the photopolymerization initiator and a polymerizable compound having an ethylenically unsaturated bond:wherein, R1 and R2 each represent R11, COR11, CONR12R13, CN, etc.; R11, R12, and R13 each represent a C1-20
alkyl group, etc.; R3 and R4 each represent R11, OR11, COR11, CONR12R13, OCOR11, CN, a
halogen atom, etc.; a and b each represent an integer of 0 to 4; X represents an
oxygen atom, a
sulfur atom, etc.; and R5 represents OH, COOH, or a group represented by general formula (II).