Abstract: A method of producing carbon tetrachloride includes providing a chloromethanes stream, combining the chloromethanes stream with chlorine and additional carbon tetrachloride to form a reaction mixture, wherein the reaction mixture includes at least stoichiometric levels of chlorine, introducing electromagnetic radiation to the reaction mixture and subjecting the reaction mixture to suitable reaction conditions to form product carbon tetrachloride, and collecting a product stream including the product carbon tetrachloride.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing a chlorinated C3-6 alkane comprising providing a reaction mixture comprising an alkene and carbon tetrachloride in a principal alkylation zone to produce chlorinated C3-6 alkane in the reaction mixture, and extracting a portion of the reaction mixture from the principal alkylation zone, wherein: a) the concentration of the chlorinated C3-6 alkane in the reaction mixture in the principal alkylation zone is maintained at a level such that the molar ratio of chlorinated C3-6 alkane:carbon tetrachloride in the reaction mixture extracted from the alkylation zone does not exceed 95:5 when the principal alkylation zone is in continuous operation; and/or b) the reaction mixture extracted from the principal alkylation zone additionally comprises alkene and the reaction mixture is subjected to a dealkenation step in which at least about 50% or more by weight of the alkene present in the reaction mixture is extracted therefrom and at least about 50% of the extracted alkene is fed

Abstract: The present invention provides improved processes for preparing halogenated alkanes. In particular, the processes comprise reacting an alkene, a halogenated alkene, or combinations thereof and a halogenated methane with at least one chlorine atom.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in part, to the discovery that, during the fluorination of certain fluoroolefin starting reagents, oligomerization/polymerization of such reagents reduces the conversion process and leads to increased catalyst deactivation. The present invention also illustrates that vaporizing such starting reagents in the presence of one or more organic co-feed reduces such oligomerization/polymerization and improves catalytic stability.

Abstract: The preparation of chlorinated hydrocarbons by reacting a chlorinated alkane substrate, such as 1,1,1,3-tetrachloropropane, with a source of chlorine, such as chlorine (Cl2), in the presence of a polyvalent molybdenum compound, such as molybdenum pentachloride, is described. With the method of the present invention, the chlorinated alkane product has covalently bonded thereto at least one more chlorine group than the chlorinated alkane substrate, and the chlorinated alkane substrate and the chlorinated alkane product each have a carbon backbone structure that is in each case the same.

Abstract: Methods for the manufacture of 1,1,1,2,3-pentachloropropane from 1,1,1,3-tetrachloropropane and chlorine are disclosed. Improved methods are provided for the manufacture of 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene from 1,1,1,2,3-pentachloropropane. Methods are also disclosed for the manufacture of 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene from 1,1,1,3-tetrachloropropane and chlorine and for the manufacture of 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene from carbon tetrachloride, ethylene, and chlorine.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing a highly pure 1,1,1,2,3-pentachloropropane product, comprising 1-a) providing a reaction mixture comprising ethylene, carbon tetrachloride and a catalyst in a principal alkylation zone to produce 1,1,1,3-tetrachloropropane in the reaction mixture, and 1-btreating the reaction mixture obtained in step 1-a) to obtain a 1,1,1,3-tetrachloropropane feedstock; 2-a) contacting the 1,1,1,3-tetrachloropropane feedstock with a catalyst in a dehydrochlorination zone to produce a reaction mixture comprising 1,1,1,3-tetrachloropropane and 1,1,3-trichloropropene, and 2-b) treating the reaction mixture obtained in step 2-a) to obtain a 1,1,3-trichloropropene feedstock; 3-a) contacting the 1,1,3-trichloropropene feedstock with chlorine in a reaction zone to produce a reaction mixture containing 1,1,1,2,3-pentachloropropane and 1,1,3-trichloropropene, the reaction zone being different from the dehydrochlorination zone, and 3-b) treating the reaction mixture obtained in step 3-a) to obta

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the high yield production of HCC-1230xa from the known four step method, wherein the Step 3 crude product (crude HCC-240db) is used directly as the starting material in the Step 4 reaction—but only if the crude HCC-240db contains less than 0.5 wt % of impurities selected from the group consisting of HCC-250fb, HCC-1240za, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Methods for the manufacture of 1,1,1,2,3-pentachloropropane from 1,1,1,3-tetrachloropropane and chlorine are disclosed. Improved methods are provided for the manufacture of 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene from 1,1,1,2,3-pentachloropropane. Methods are also disclosed for the manufacture of 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene from 1,1,1,3-tetrachloropropane and chlorine and for the manufacture of 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene from carbon tetrachloride, ethylene, and chlorine.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing a chlorinated alkene, comprising contacting a chlorinated alkane with a catalyst in a dehydrochlorination zone to produce a liquid reaction mixture comprising the chlorinated alkane and the chlorinated alkene, and extracting chlorinated alkene from the reaction mixture, wherein the concentration of the chlorinated alkene in the reaction mixture present in the dehydrochlorination zone is controlled such that the molar ratio of chlorinated alkene:chlorinated alkane is from 1:99 to 50:50.

Abstract: Processes for the production of chlorinated propenes are provided. The present processes make use of 1,2-dichloropropane, a by-product in the production of chlorohydrin, as a low cost starting material, alone or in combination with 1,2,3-trichloropropane. At least one dehydrochlorination is conducted in the gas phase, and is the first process step. The present processes can also generate anhydrous HCl as a byproduct that can be removed from the process and used as a feedstock for other processes, providing further time and cost savings.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for producing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, the process comprising: (1) a first reaction step of reacting hydrogen fluoride with at least one chlorine-containing compound selected from the group consisting of a chloropropane represented by Formula (1): CClX2CHClCH2Cl, wherein each X is the same or different and is CI or F, a chloropropene represented by Formula (2): CClY2CCl?CH2, wherein each Y is the same or different and is CI or F, and a chloropropene represented by Formula (3): CZ2?CClCH2Cl, wherein each Z is the same or different and is CI or F in a gas phase in the absence of a catalyst while heating; and (2) a second reaction step of reacting hydrogen fluoride with a reaction product obtained in the first reaction step in a gas phase in the presence of a fluorination catalyst while heating. According to the process of this invention, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) can be obtained with high selectivity, and catalyst deterioration can be suppressed.

Abstract: A production method of 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene according to the present invention includes bringing a composition containing a compound of the general formula (1): CF3—CH2—CHClX (where X is a fluorine atom or a chlorine atom) into contact with a solid catalyst in the presence of hydrogen chloride. In this production method, the composition containing ozone depleting HCFC such as 3-chloro-1,1,1,3-tetraluoforpropane or 3,3-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoropropane can be efficiently converted to the 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, which has less influence on the global environment and is useful as a solvent, a cleaning agent, a coolant, a working fluid, a propellant, a raw material for fluorinated resins etc.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process for producing 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene. By using a first reactive distillation column for HCC-250fb dehydrochlorination, and a second reactive distillation column for HCC-240db dehydrochlorination/HCC-1230xf isomerization, the 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene manufacturing process can be greatly simplified, resulting in reduced equipment use, energy use, as well as increased productivity.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for making CF3CH?CHF (HFO-1234ze). The process involves the addition of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) to 1,2-dichloroethylene to form CCl3CHClCHCl2. The compound CCl3CHClCHCl2 thus can then either be treated with HF to produce CF3CHClCHClF as the main product, or it can be converted to CCl2?CHCHCl2 (1230za) by dechlorination. CCl2?CHCHCl2 can be treated with HF such that the main product obtained is CF3CHClCHClF. CF3CH?CHCl may be produced as a by-product, but upon treatment with HF, it affords the compound CF3CHClCHClF. The desired compound, CF3CH?CHF (HFO-1234ze), is obtained as a trans/cis mixture by dehydrochlorination of CF3CH2CHClF or by dechlorination of CF3CHClCHClF.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a fluorine-containing alkene of the general formula CF3(CX2)nCF?CH2, wherein X each independently represents F or Cl, and n is an integer of 0 to 2. The process includes a first reaction step of allowing a specific chlorine-containing compound to react with a fluorinating agent under increased pressure in a gas phase in the presence of at least one fluorination catalyst selected from the group consisting of chromium oxide and fluorinated chromium oxide, and a second reaction step of heating the product of the first reaction step in a gas phase under a pressure lower than the pressure in the first reaction step. The process of the present invention can produce a fluorine-containing alkene with a high selectivity with the use of a catalyst that can be easily handled, while suppressing production of by-products that cannot be easily converted into the target or separated.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process for producing 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene. By using a first reactive distillation column for HCC-250fb dehydrochlorination, and a second reactive distillation column for HCC-240db dehydrochlorination/HCC-1230xf isomerization, the 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene manufacturing process can be greatly simplified, resulting in reduced equipment use, energy use, as well as increased productivity.

Abstract: Processes for the production of chlorinated propenes are provided. The present processes make use of a feedstock comprising 1,2,3-trichloropropane and chlorinates the 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropane generated by the process prior to a dehydrochlorination step. Production of the less desirable pentachloropropane isomer, 1,1,2,3,3-pentachloropropane, is thus minimized. The present processes provide better reaction yield as compared to conventional processes that require dehydrochlorination of 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropane prior to chlorinating the same. The present process can also generate anhydrous HCl as a byproduct that can be removed from the process and used as a feedstock for other processes, while limiting the production of waste water, thus providing further time and cost savings.

Abstract: A catalyst system for use in oxychlorination, the catalyst system comprising catalyst pellets comprising a catalyst carried on a substrate the pellets having length x, breadth y and depth z, intrinsic density P and bulk density p and diluent beads having length x±25%, breadth y±25% and depth z±25%, intrinsic density?P+25% and a bulk density p ±25%.

Abstract: Methods for the manufacture of 1,1,1,2,3-pentachloropropane from 1,1,1,3-tetrachloropropane and chlorine are disclosed. Improved methods are provided for the manufacture of 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene from 1,1,1,2,3-pentachloropropane. Methods are also disclosed for the manufacture of 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene from 1,1,1,3-tetrachloropropane and chlorine and for the manufacture of 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene from carbon tetrachloride, ethylene, and chlorine.

Abstract: Methods for the manufacture of 1,1,1,2,3-pentachloropropane from 1,1,1,3-tetrachloropropane and chlorine are disclosed. Improved methods are provided for the manufacture of 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene from 1,1,1,2,3-pentachloropropane. Methods are also disclosed for the manufacture of 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene from 1,1,1,3-tetrachloropropane and chlorine and for the manufacture of 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene from carbon tetrachloride, ethylene, and chlorine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing liquid 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE), obtained by low-temperature direct chlorination of ethylene, in the presence of a Lewis acid-type catalyst, that makes it possible to obtain, after separation of the catalyst, DCE of sufficient purity to give, via cracking, vinyl chloride monomer (VCM); characterized in that it comprises a step of dechlorination (5) of the liquid DCE stream (4) exiting the chlorination reactor (1), that makes it possible to remove the excess dissolved chlorine, followed by a step of direct evaporation (9) of the whole of the liquid DCE stream (8) exiting said reactor, that makes it possible to separate the catalyst from the evaporated fraction (10) of the stream of DCE good for cracking. The invention also relates to the plant for the implementation of such a method.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing ethylenically unsaturated aliphatic halogenic hydrocarbons by thermal cleavage of saturated aliphatic halogenic carbons using an apparatus that introduces an educt gas stream into a reactor which includes at least one supply conduit which opens into the reactor, the supply conduit feeds a heated gas formed from cleavage promotors and radicals produced by a nonthermal plasma device which permits an increased in the yield of the cleavage reaction.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for obtaining directly polymerisable vinyl chloride which consists in subjecting a cooled raw product derived from of pyrolysis of 1,2-dichloroethane, to another cooling process at a temperature not more than 40° C., under pressure ranging between 10 to 15 bars then in leaving it at substantially identical temperature and pressure levels for a duration not more than 20 minutes. The invention also concerns a device for implementing the method.

Abstract: A process for preparing 1,2-dichloroethane which comprises (A) feeding an ethane-containing feed gas stream into a dehydrogenation zone and dehydrogenating ethane to ethane to give a product gas stream comprising ethane, ethane and secondary constituents, (B) feeding the ethan- and ethene-containing dehydrogenation product gas stream as a single stream or a plurality of substreams, optionally after having separated off secondary constituents, into one or more chlorination zones, chlorinating ethene to 1,2-dichloroethane to give one or more product gas streams comprising 1,2-dichloroethane, ethane and possibly further secondary constituents, isolating 1,2-dichloroethane and one or more ethane-containing circulating gas streams and recirculating the ethane-containing circulating gas stream or streams to the ethane dehydrogenation.

Abstract: The work-up of the gaseous products from the thermal cracking of 1,2-dichloroethane is simplified if the cracking gases are cooled to a temperature range of about 150 to 180° C., only a subsidiary proportion, which comprises all the coke formed, being condensed and fed to a separate work-up.

Abstract: This invention relates to the isolation of a novel putative efflux gene from Pseudomonas mendocina. The putative efflux gene is useful for probing an organism's efflux system to gain an understanding of the mechanisms of solvent tolerance. The invention further provides a Pseudomonas mendocina strain deficient in this gene. This strain is unable to grow in the presence of chloramphenicol and, compared to the wildtype strain, grows slowly in the presence of high concentrations of PHBA.

Abstract: Ethylene is chlorinated in a reaction zone to form a product stream containing 1,2-dichloroethane, the latter being then thermally cracked in a cracking zone to form vinyl chloride. Light by-products formed during the thermal cracking step are chlorinated in a zone external and directly downstream of the reaction zone used for the preparation of the 1,2-dichloroethane product stream. The product stream leaving the chlorination reaction zone for the 1,2-dichloroethane are passed into said downstream zone so that the light by-products are chlorinated in the presence of said product stream.

Abstract: Saturated aliphatic halocarbons, including environmental contaminants, are degraded to innocuous, environmentally acceptable compounds by contact, either in situ or in a bioreactor, with microorganisms that produce aromatic oxygenases, preferably with use of a co-substrate, for example, phenol, toluene, benzene, ethylbenzene and xylene, including the provision of novel bacteria that produce aromatic oxygenases, and new recombinant microorganisms that contain cloned aromatic oxygenase genes, examples of saturated aliphatic halocarbon that may be degraded to innocuous compounds being chloroform; bromoform; 1,2-dichloroethane; 1,2-dibromoethane; monochloroethane and monobromoethane.

Abstract: A novel 3-substituted .alpha.,.beta.-dibromoethylbenzene of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein X represents a halogen atom or a trihalomethyl group, which is useful as an intermediate for pharmaceuticals or agricultural chemicals, is prepared by a simple and high yield process which comprises reacting a 3-substituted .alpha.-bromoethylbenzene represented by formula (II): ##STR2## wherein X is as defined above, or a 3-substituted ethylbenzene represented by formula (III): ##STR3## wherein X is as defined above, with bromine in the presence of a quaternary ammonium salt.

Abstract: A process for hydrodehalogenating halogenated organic compounds present in a contaminated aqueous environmental source in which the halogenated organic compounds are reacted with hydrogen gas or a source of hydrogen gas in the presence of a catalyst of palladium on carbon.

Abstract: ar-Bromoaromatics having an alkenyl side chain on the aromatic nucleus are formed by feeding a beta-bromoalkyl-ar-bromoaromatic compound, together with a substantial excess of water, into a thermal dehydrobromination zone held at or above 475.degree. C., and maintaining a very short residence time (5 seconds or less) in the dehydrobromination zone. Very little extraneous co-products are formed. For example dibromostyrene was produced by co-feeding bromoethyldibromobenzene (BEDB) and excess amounts of water (using nitrogen as a carrier gas) into a Vycor tube packed with glass beads at 500.degree. C. By suitable controlling residence times, the amount of undesired coproducts formed was kept below 1.5 G. C. area %, and the percentage of BEDB conversion was in the range of 84.1% up to 99.1%.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of allyl chloride from three carbon atom hydrocarbons (propane and/or propylene) using hydrogen chloride or hydrogen chloride/chlorine mixtures as the chlorinating agent. The process includes reaction steps operated in tandem in separate zones first comprising the reaction of perchloroethylene with hydrogen chloride and oxygen in the presence of an oxychlorination catalyst to give hexachloroethane and water, second comprising the vapor phase reaction of hexachloroethane with propane/propylene feedstock to produce allyl chloride, perchloroethylene, and hydrogen chloride, and third isolating the products of the second step and repeating the first step using as starting materials the thus isolated perchloroethylene and hydrogen chloride.

Abstract: The liquid phase dehydrochlorination of haloalkanes is performed with an initiator mainly comprising decachlorobutane and/or octachloro-1-butene.The process is applicable, in particular, to the production of chloroethylenes from the corresponding polychloroethanes.

Abstract: Ferric chloride (FeCl.sub.3), a known chlorination and polymerization catalyst for 1,3-butadiene ("BD"), can nevertheless be effectively used in a packed or trayed quench tower, operating under essentially anhydrous conditions, without plugging it. Essentially all BD from a crude stream of vinyl chloride (VCl), is removed within a hold-up time of 6 minutes. The speed of removal is note-worthy because less than half the stoichiometric amount of chlorine required to chlorinate the BD is used. The BD is preferentially chlorinated, the time being too short to chlorinate a substantial amount of chloroprene and monovinylacetylene. Only a portion of the BD is removed by chlorination, the remainder being removed by polymerization catalyzed by 100-200 ppm anhydrous FeCl.sub.3.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene comprising allylic rearrangement of 2,3,3,3-tetrachloropropene using a substantially anhydrous ferric chloride catalyst. Alternatively, 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene is prepared by dehydrochlorination of 1,1,1,2,3-pentachloropropane using a ferric chloride catalyst. Process schemes commencing with the preparation of the precursor 1,1,1,3-tetrachloropropane by reaction of ethylene with carbon tetrachloride are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the economical operation of a commercial ethylene dichloride (EDC) cracking furnace which typically is prone to coking of the tubes through which the EDC is flowed. The EDC cracking furnace is found to be critically sensitive to the presence of trace amounts, 30 ppm or more of FeCl.sub.3 and/or 20 ppm or more of free chlorine, which cause coking of the tubes of the furnace. The coking of the tubes is minimized by maintaining less than 30 ppm by weight of FeCl.sub.3 or less than 20 ppm of free chlorine in the EDC feed to the EDC furnace. In the particular instance where EDC is produced at least in part in a high temperature direct chlorination ("boiling") reactor constructed from mild steel, this goal requires that the chlorine content of the effluent from the boiling reactor be controlled so as not to exceed 20 ppm. But this is to be done without using more than a 2% by weight excess of ethylene over the stoichiometric amount required to produce the EDC in the boiling reactor.

Abstract: 1,2-Dichloroethane is pyrolyzed in a pyrolysis furnace to produce a stream comprising vinyl chloride and 1,2-dichloroethane. The stream is removed from the furnace and introduced to essentially unheated conduit means to establish a stream flowing in the conduit means. Pyrolysis promoter is introduced to the stream in the conduit means and sensible heat of the stream is utilized in the conduit means to pyrolyze further amounts of 1,2-dichloroethane and to increase the yield of vinyl chloride.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene comprising allylic rearrangement of 2,3,3,3-tetrachloropropene using a substantially anhydrous ferric chloride catalyst. Alternatively, 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene is prepared by dehydrochlorination of 1,1,1,2,3-pentachloropropane using a ferric chloride catalyst. Process schemes commencing with the preparation of the precursor 1,1,1,3-tetrachloropropane by reaction of ethylene with carbon tetrachloride are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reagent comprising the product of the reaction of an alkali metal hydroxide with a polyglycol or a polyglycol monoalkyl ether and oxygen, effects complete decomposition of halogenated organic compounds, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), when mixed therewith in the presence of oxygen.

Abstract: A process for the synthesis of (Z,Z)-11-13-hexadecadienal is disclosed, starting with undecylenic alcohol.

Abstract: A reagent, comprising the product of the reaction of an alkali metal with a polyglycol or a polyglycol monoalkyl ether and oxygen, effects complete decomposition of halogenated organic compounds, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), when mixed therewith in the presence of oxygen.

Abstract: An improved process for production of allyl chloride which comprises (1) thermally chlorinating propylene above 300.degree. C., but below that at which substantial carbon formation is effected, (2) separating the allyl chloride from its by-products, (3) subjecting the unsaturated compounds in said by-products to a low temperature chlorination, (4) separating the 1,2-dichloropropane from the products of said low temperature chlorination, and (5) passing said 1,2-dichloropropane to a cracking furnace. The effluent from the cracking furnace can be recycled to the allyl chloride finishing system by adding it to the high temperature propylene chlorination reactor effluent. Reaction temperatures are optimized to eliminate problems caused by carbon formation in the high temperature chlorination reactor, while overall yields of allyl chloride are increased and effluents which are ecologically and economically undesirable are reduced.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for the production of hexachlorocyclopentadiene comprising the steps of:1. Reacting liquid cyclopentadiene and chlorine at a temperature of from about 0.degree. to about 100.degree. C. until an average of at least 4 chlorine atoms has been added per mole of cyclopentadiene to form a first-stage product;2. heating the resultant liquid reaction product of Step 1 in a second stage at a temperature of from about 140.degree. C. to below about 200.degree. C. with chlorine in the presence of from about 0.0001% to about 5.0% (by weight) of an aromatic compound until the reaction products of Step 1 contain an average of about 6 chlorine atoms per molecule, based on cyclopentadiene starting material; wherein said aromatic compound contains from 1 to 3 aromatic rings; at least one of the rings containing a nitrogen atom;3. vaporizing and heating the resulting reaction products of Step 2 in a third stage in the presence of chlorine to a temperature of above 450.degree. C.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for the production of hexachlorocyclopentadiene comprising the steps of:1. Reacting liquid cyclopentadiene and chlorine at a temperature of from about 0.degree. to about 100.degree. C. until an average of at least 4 chlorine atoms has been added per mole of cyclopentadiene to form a first-stage product;2. heating the resultant liquid reaction product of Step 1 in a second stage at a temperature of from about 140.degree. C. to below about 200.degree. C. with chlorine in the presence of from about 0.0001% to about 5.0% (by weight) of an aromatic compound until the reaction products of Step 1 contain an average of about 6 chlorine atoms per molecule, based on cyclopentadiene starting material; wherein said aromatic compound contains from about 4 to about 30 carbon atoms and from 1 to about 4 aromatic rings; and3. vaporizing and heating the resulting reaction products of Step 2 in a third stage in the presence of chlorine to a temperature of above 450.degree. C.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for the production of hexachlorocyclopentadiene comprising the steps of:(a) reacting liquid cyclopentadiene and chlorine at a temperature of from about 0 to about 100 degrees centigrade until a minimum of four chlorine atoms has been added per mole of cyclopentadiene to form a first-stage product;(b) heating the resultant liquid reaction product of step (a) in a second stage at a temperature of from about 140 degrees centigrade to below about 200 degrees centigrade with chlorine in the presence of from about 0.0001 percent to about 5.0 percent (by weight) of a phosphorus compound until the reaction products of step (a) contain an average of about six chlorine atoms per molecule, based on cyclopentadiene starting material, wherein said phosphorus compound is ##STR1## wherein a, b, c, d, e, f, and g are integers independently selected from the group consisting of 0 and 1, and R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.

Abstract: The preparation of chlorinated hydrocarbons, such as pentachloropropanes, such as 1,1,1,2,3-pentachloropropane, from tetrachloropropanes, such as 1,1,1,3-tetrachloropropane, in the presence of a polyvalent antimony compound that includes a pentavalent antimony compound, such as antimony pentachloride, is described. Also described are methods for preparing optionally chlorinated alkenes, such as, tetrachloropropenes, from chlorinated alkanes, such as pentachloropropanes, in the presence of ferric chloride and a polyvalent antimony compound that includes a pentavalent antimony compound.