Abstract Neonicotinoids represent a novel and distinct chemical class of insecticides with remarkable chemical and biological properties. In 1985, a research programme was started in this field, in which novel nitroimino heterocycles were designed, prepared and assayed for insecticidal activity. The methodology for the synthesis of 2-nitroimino-hexahydro-1, 3, 5- triazines, 4-nitroimino-1, 3, 5-oxadiazinanes and 4-nitroimino-1, 3, 5-thiadiazinanes is ...