Abstract: A superior catalyst for the oxychlorination of C.sub.2 hydrocarbon feeds comprises a mixture of copper chloride and alkali metal chloride, especially potassium chloride, and preferably also magnesium chloride, which mixture is deposited on an alumina support that has been thermally stabilized by integral incorporation therein of a certain class of lanthanide oxide. The use of such thermally stanle catalyst in the production of chlorinated hydrocarbons such as trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene by oxychlorination of a C.sub.2 hydrocarbon feed results in particularly good process efficiencies in terms of long on-stream times, relatively low reactor corrosion rates, high HC1 conversion, reduced burning, and convenienty flexible selectivity to specifically desired product.

Abstract: A superior catalyst for the oxychlorination of C.sub.2 hydrocarbon feeds comprises a mixture of copper chloride and alkali metal chloride, especially potassium chloride, and preferably also magnesium chloride, which mixture is deposited on an alumina support that has been thermally stabilized by integral incorporation therein of a certain class of lanthanide oxide. The use of such thermally stable catalyst in the production of chlorinated hydrocarbons such as trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene by oxychlorination of a C.sub.2 hydrocarbon feed results in particularly good process efficiencies in terms of long on-stream times, relatively low reactor corrosion rates, high HCl conversion, reduced burning, and conveniently flexible selectivity to specifically desired product.

Abstract: A superior catalyst for the oxychlorination of C.sub.2 hydrocarbon feeds comprises a mixture of copper chloride and alkali metal chloride, for instance, potassium chloride, and preferably also magnesium chloride, which mixture is deposited on an alumina support having a surface area in excess of 20 and less than 100 m.sup.2 /g. The thermal stability of such a catalyst composition can be further improved by incorporating 0.2 to 5 percent silica in the alumina support. The use of such microspheroidal catalyst in the production of perchloroethylene and trichloroethylene by oxychlorination of a C.sub.2 hydrocarbon feed in a fluidized bed reactor results in particularly good process efficiencies in terms of high HCl conversion, and good flexible selectivity to specifically desired product, reduced burning and long on-stream times.

Abstract: A superior catalyst for the oxychlorination of C.sub.2 hydrocarbon feeds comprises a mixture of copper chloride and alkali metal chloride, for instance, potassium chloride, and preferably also magnesium chloride, which mixture is deposited on an alumina support having a surface area in excess of 20 and less than 100 m.sup.2 /g. The thermal stability of such a catalyst composition can be further improved by incorporating 0.2 to 5 percent silica in the alumina support. The use of such microspheroidal catalyst in the production of perchloroethylene and trichloroethylene by oxychlorination of a C.sub.2 hydrocarbon feed in a fluidized bed reactor results in particularly good process efficiencies in terms of high HCl conversion, and good flexible selectivity to specifically desired product, reduced burning, long on-stream times, and relatively low corrosion rates.