This invention is directed to the preparation of polymerizable monomers that are prepared from 1-(1-isocyanato-1-methylethyl)-3-(1-methylethenyl) benzene (m-TMI) and 1-(1-isocyanato-1-methylethyl)-4-(1-methylethenyl) benzene (p-TMI). The monomers prepared from m- and p-TMI can contain numerous chemical moieties, and when polymerized, produce polymers that have chemically bonded to the polymeric backbone the functional moiety. More specifically, these TMI derived monomers may contain chain breaking antioxidant moieties, peroxide decomposing antioxidant moieties, ultraviolet stabilizing moieties, triplet quenching moieties, and other chemical moieties that are useful in polymers.