Bisphenols are prepared from cyclic monoterpene precursors and high glass transition temperature polymers are prepared from bisphenols. More particularly, substantially pure 4-[1-[3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4 -methylcyclohexyl]-1-methylethyl] phenol and 4,4'-[1-methyl -4-methylethyl)-1,3-cyclohexandiyl] bisphenol are isolated and high glass transition temperature bisphenol polycarbonates are prepared.