The invention relates to a method for preparing acrolein from glycerol or glycerine, comprising dehydrating glycerol or glycerine in the presence of a catalyst consisting of at least a) a mixed oxide of zirconium and at least one metal, said metal being selected from niobium, tantalum and vanadium, b) a zirconium oxide and at least one metal oxide, the metal being selected from niobium, tantalum and vanadium, c) a silicon oxide and a mixed oxide of zirconium and at least one metal, the metal being selected from tungsten, cerium, manganese, niobium, tantalum, titanium, vanadium and silicon, d) a silicon oxide and a mixed oxide of zirconium and at least one metal, the metal being selected from tungsten, cerium, manganese, niobium, tantalum, vanadium and titanium, e) a titanium oxide and a mixed oxide of zirconium and at least one metal, said metal being selected from tungsten, cerium, manganese, niobium, tantalum, titanium, vanadium and silicon, f) a titanium oxide and a mixed oxide or zirconium and at least one metal, said metal being selected from tungsten, cerium, manganese, niobium, tantalum, titanium, vanadium and silicon. The method can be used for producing -3-(methylthio)propionic (MMP) aldehyde, 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyronitrile (HMTBN), methionine and analogues thereof from acrolein.