Abstract: A process for the preparation of halonitroalkanes, e.g. bromonitromethane, is disclosed in which a nitroalkane is reacted with an alkali metal base or an alkaline earth metal base, and the resulting nitroalkane salt is halogenated to form the halonitroalkane in a reaction mixture. The process is improved by acidifying the reaction mixture, preferably to pH=0-4, and thereafter recovering the halonitroalkane by azeotropic distillation of the reaction mixture. The acidification step increases the amount of halonitroalkane recovered, as compared to prior art processes in which the reaction mixture is distilled without prior acidification.