The high index bisphenol monomer may be selected from compounds ##STR2## where R1 is methyl, ethyl or hydrogen; R2 is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl; R3 is hydrogen, methyl or hydroxyl; R4 is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl; X is a halogen, preferably chlorine, bromine or iodine, or hydrogen; and n is an integer having a value of 0 to 8.