Insecticidal activity of chloronitroalkanes was predicted on the basis of structure-activity relationships. Two series of new bis(substituted-phenyl) chloronitroalkanes were synthesized and evaluated for insecticidal activity. The synthetic pathway proceeded through phenylnitroethanols and diphenylnitroethanes as intermediates. Final products were 1,1-bis (substituted-phenyl)-2-chloro-2-nitroethanes and 1,1-bis(substituted-phenyl)-2,2-dichloro-2-nitroethanes. Aromatic substituents were selected from alkyl, alkoxy, and halogen moieties. Following purifications and confirmation of structures, the compounds were bioassayed against insects. The two series were compared for potency, as were various combinations of X and Y substituents. Adult female house flies (Musca domestica), mosquito larvae (Aedes aegypti), western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) and German cockroach (Blattellagermanica) have been tested. In general, the mono-chloro series is more toxic than the di-chloro series. Five of the mono-chloro analogs are 8-10 times more potent than pyrethrins and 6-7 times more toxic than methoxychlor to the house fly.