A process is disclosed for producing -methylstyrene, acetone, and phenol wherein the amount of -methylstyrene produced may be controlled by selectively converting a portion of the cumene hydroperoxide to dimethyl phenyl carbinol, the hydrated form of -methylstyrene. The dimethyl phenyl carbinol thus produced will lead to increased production of -methylstyrene upon dehydration in the acid cleavage unit of the phenol plant. By controlling the fraction of the cumene hydroperoxide reduced to dimethyl phenyl carbinol, the amount of -methylstyrene produced in the plant can be continuously set to meet the demand of the market for -methylstyrene. Also disclosed is a non-acidic catalyst for reduction of cumene hydroperoxide.