Dimethoxyphenol-based monomers containing polymerizable functional groups such as [meth]acrylate groups are useful for the preparation of polymers, wherein one or more dimethoxyphenyl moieties are part of side chains pendant to the backbones of the polymers. The polymers thereby obtained may have different, improved properties, such as higher glass transition temperatures, thermal stability and solvent resistance, as compared to polymers based on other types of lignin-derived monomers.