This disclosure relates to a process for producing titanium dioxide, comprising: a) reacting a alloy comprising silicon and aluminum having a melting point of about 482° C. to about 660° C., with chlorine gas at temperatures above 190° C. to form chlorides of silicon and aluminum; b) adding titanium tetrachloride to the chlorides of silicon and aluminum of step (a); c) oxidizing the chlorides of silicon and aluminum and titanium tetrachloride of step (b); and d) forming titanium dioxide.