Abstract: The catalytic dehydrogenation of at least one dehydrogenatable organic compound which has at least one ##STR1## grouping is carried out in the presence of a zinc titanate catalyst. The selectivity of the zinc titanate catalyst is improved by at least one promoter selected from the group consisting of chromium oxide, antimony oxide, bismuth oxide, oxides of the lanthanides, oxides of the actinides, oxides thereof, and compounds convertible to the oxides thereof.