Compounds which can be activated by actinic radiation, contain at least one urethane group, and have the general formula I: X[N(R)—C(O)—O—C(R1R2)—C(R3R4)—Y-Z]n  (I), in which the index and the variables have the following meanings: n is an integer from 1 to 5; X is an at least n-valent, substituted or unsubstituted organic radical; R is a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituted or unsubstituted organic radical; R1-R4 independently of one another are a hydrogen atom, halogen atom or monovalent, substituted or unsubstituted organic radical, it being possible for at least two radicals to be cyclically linked to one another; Y is a divalent, linking functional group containing at least one oxygen atom; and Z is an organic radical containing at least one group which can be activated by actinic radiation; with the proviso that at least for n=1 the radical R and/or the radical X are/is substituted by at least one substituent of the general formula II: Z—Y—  (II), in which the variables Z and Y are as defined above; processes for preparing them, and their use.