A process for making ortho alkoxy bisphenol monomers includes contacting an (alk-1-enyl)alkoxyphenol (type 1) with an alkoxyphenol (type 2) in the presence of an acidic catalyst. Both type of renewable phenols (type 1 and 2) can be generated from lignocellulosic biomass. The use of such alkoxy phenols as a precursor to bisphenol monomers has the potential to reduce the cost and environmental impact of structural materials, while meeting or exceeding the performance of current petroleum-derived polymers, such as thermoplastics and thermoset resins.