A process for the preparation of a fluoroiodoalkane represented by the structural formula CF3(CF2)n—I, wherein n is 0 or 1. The process has the step of reacting a source of iodine with a compound represented by the structural formula CF3(CF2)n—Y, wherein Y is selected from H, Cl, Br and COOH and wherein n is 0 or 1. The reaction is carried out at a temperature from about 100° C. to about 750° C. and at a pressure from about 0.001 to about 100 atm for a contact time from about 0.001 second to about 300 hours in the presence a catalyst. The catalyst is subject to one or both of the following: (a) treating the catalyst prior to the reaction via contact with a gas selected from the group consisting of hydrogen fluoride, trifluoromethane, hydrogen, hydrogen iodide, iodine, fluorine, and oxygen, wherein the contact is carried out at a temperature and for a contact time sufficient to reduce the length of the induction period of the catalyst; and (b) treating the catalyst after the reaction via contact with a gas selected from the group consisting of hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen, fluorine, oxygen, or air at a temperature and for a contact time sufficient to regenerate the catalyst.