The synthesis and insecticidal activity of certain alcohols (hydroxymethyldibenzofurans, hydroxymethyldibenzothiophenes and some of their ⍺-cyano derivatives), esterified with trans-chrysanthemic acid, were investigated. The preparation of these planar alcohol moieties was undertaken to study conformation-activity effects in insecticides of the pyrethroid type. The synthesis of final ester products employed two methods. One was the direct condensation of the appropriate alcohol with chrysanthemic acid chloride in the presence of pyridine. The other involved the in situ formation of the cyanohydrin from the appropriate aldehyde and subsequent condensation with chrysanthemic acid chloride in the presence of a phase transfer reagent. Insecticidal activity is to be tested at rates of 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 10, 100, and 1000 ppm. Fenvalerate is used as the standard against Diabrotica undecimpuntata (spotted cucumber beetles).