The bifunctional fluorinated nitrobenzenes, 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DFDNB) and 4,4''-difluoro-3,3''-dinitrodiphenyl sulfone (DFDNDPS), and the monofunctional 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (FDNB) inhibited chemotaxis, phagocytosis, exocytosis and the respiratory burst of rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Inhibition occurred in the micromolar concentration range; the bifunctional compounds showed stronger inhibition than the monofunctional one. The inhibitory effect was counteracted by SH compounds but not with amino-group containing compounds. The results suggested that an interaction with vulnerable SH groups, located in a hydrophobic surrounding, was the basis of the inhibitory effect of the fluorinated nitrobenzenes.