A method for controlling the production of heavy compounds in the production of alpha-methyl styrene is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a first composition to a distillation column, said first composition comprising acetone, phenol, cumene and alpha-methyl styrene; refining the first composition in the distillation column to produce a second composition comprising at least 1 wt.% alpha-methyl styrene and at least one organic acid, wherein the second composition includes a higher weight percentage of alpha-methyl styrene than the first composition; and adding an amine to the second composition.