Abstract: A process is provided for the production of 1,1,1,3,3-pentachloropropane. The process comprises: (a) producing a product mixture in a reactor by reacting carbon tetrachloride and vinyl chloride in the presence of a catalyst mixture comprising organophosphate solvent, iron metal and ferric chloride under conditions sufficient to produce 1,1,1,3,3-pentachloropropane; (b) subjecting the 1,1,1,3,3-pentachloropropane containing product mixture from step (a) to evaporation such that a fraction enriched in 1,1,1,3,3-pentachloropropane is separated from the product mixture and a bottoms fraction results which comprises the iron metal/ferric chloride catalyst components and heavy end by-products; and (c) recycling at least a portion of the bottoms fraction from step (b) to the reactor.