Abstract: A novel method for the catalytic selective decarboxylation of a starting material to produce an organic acid is disclosed. According to at least one embodiment, the method may include placing a reaction mixture into a reaction vessel, the reaction mixture including a solvent, a starting material, and a catalyst, subjecting the reaction mixture to a predetermined pressure and temperature, and allowing the reaction to continue for 1-3 hours. The starting material may be at least one of a dicarboxylic acid, a tricarboxylic acid, and an anhydride of a dicarboxylic or tricarboxylic acid. As an exemplary embodiment, itaconic acid may be a starting material and the organic acid may be methacrylic acid. The predetermined temperature may be 250° C. or less, and the reaction pressure may be less than 425 psi. Further, a polymerization inhibitor may be used.