A method for preparing a sol-gel resin comprising: introducing a first hydroxylated benzene and a first basic catalyst into a reaction vessel; introducing an aldehyde into the reaction vessel to form a first liquid reaction mixture; reacting the first liquid reaction mixture for a period of time sufficient to consume a portion of the first hydroxylated benzene; adding a second acid catalyst to the first liquid reaction mixture to form a liquid storage stable intermediate having a viscosity; wherein the liquid storage stable intermediate is stable for at least 3 days at a temperature of between 2°C to 25°C while exhibiting a change in the viscosity of less than 100% as measured by Brookfield viscosity at 25°C, introducing a second hydroxylated benzene to the liquid storage stable intermediate to form a second liquid reaction mixture; and transferring the second reaction mixture to a container and curing at a temperature of from 45 to 95°C to form a sol-gel resin, or comprising: introducing a first hydroxylated benzene and a first basic catalyst into a reaction vessel; introducing an aldehyde into the reaction vessel to form a first liquid reaction mixture; reacting the first reaction mixture for a period of time sufficient to consume a portion of the first hydroxylated benzene; adding a second acid catalyst to the first reaction mixture to form a liquid storage stable intermediate having a viscosity, wherein the liquid storage stable intermediate is stable for at least 3 days at a temperature of between 2°C to 25°C while exhibiting a change in the viscosity of less than 100% as measured by Brookfield viscosity at 25°C; introducing a second hydroxylated benzene to the liquid storage stable intermediate to form a second liquid reaction mixture; wherein up to 85 mole% of a total amount of the first hydroxylated benzene and second hydroxylated benzene comprises phenol. and agitating the second liquid reaction mixture for a period of time sufficient to form the sol-gel resin in a particulate form. introducing a first hydroxylated benzene and a first basic catalyst into a reaction vessel; introducing an aldehyde into the reaction vessel to form a first liquid reaction mixture; reacting the first liquid reaction mixture for a period of time sufficient to consume a portion of the first hydroxylated benzene; adding a second acid catalyst to the first liquid reaction mixture to form a liquid storage stable intermediate having a viscosity; wherein the liquid storage stable intermediate is stable for at least 3 days at a temperature of between 2°C to 25°C while exhibiting a change in the viscosity of less than 100% as measured by Brookfield viscosity at 25°C, introducing a second hydroxylated benzene to the liquid storage stable intermediate to form a second liquid reaction mixture; and transferring the second reaction mixture to a container and curing at a temperature of from 45 to 95°C to form a sol-gel resin, or comprising: introducing a first hydroxylated benzene and a first basic catalyst into a reaction vessel; introducing an aldehyde into the reaction vessel to form a first liquid reaction mixture; reacting the first reaction mixture for a period of time sufficient to consume a portion of the first hydroxylated benzene; adding a second acid catalyst to the first reaction mixture to form a liquid storage stable intermediate having a viscosity, wherein the liquid storage stable intermediate is stable for at least 3 days at a temperature of between 2°C to 25°C while exhibiting a change in the viscosity of less than 100% as measured by Brookfield viscosity at 25°C; introducing a second hydroxylated benzene to the liquid storage stable intermediate to form a second liquid reaction mixture; wherein up to 85 mole% of a total amount of the first hydroxylated benzene and second hydroxylated benzene comprises phenol. and agitating the second liquid reaction mixture for a period of time sufficient to form the sol-gel resin in a particulate form. introducing a first hydroxylated benzene and a first basic catalyst into a reaction vessel; introducing an aldehyde into the reaction vessel to form a first liquid reaction mixture; reacting the first reaction mixture for a period of time sufficient to consume a portion of the first hydroxylated benzene; adding a second acid catalyst to the first reaction mixture to form a liquid storage stable intermediate having a viscosity, wherein the liquid storage stable intermediate is stable for at least 3 days at a temperature of between 2°C to 25°C while exhibiting a change in the viscosity of less than 100% as measured by Brookfield viscosity at 25°C; introducing a second hydroxylated benzene to the liquid storage stable intermediate to form a second liquid reaction mixture; wherein up to 85 mole% of a total amount of the first hydroxylated benzene and second hydroxylated benzene comprises phenol. and agitating the second liquid reaction mixture for a period of time sufficient to form the sol-gel resin in a particulate form.