Abstract: A process for reacting ethane with chlorine to produce a mixture of ethylene and vinyl chloride is disclosed. The process involves the intimate mixing of ethane and chlorine in an ethane to chlorine ratio of at least about 0.9:1 at a temperature such that ethane and chlorine do not react during mixing, and heating the mixture to a temperature above about 215.degree. C. to commence the reaction, allowing the reaction to proceed for a period of less than about 1 minute, and providing sufficient heat to the reacting mixture so that the reacted mixture will have a temperature between about 400.degree. C. and about 800.degree. C.