A method for producing a number of (E)-1-aryl-3-nitroprop-2-en-1-ones based on a synthetic condensation–dehydration strategy has been optimized. New (Z)-1-aryl-3-bromo-3-nitroprop-2-en-1-ones have been synthesised from (E)-1-aryl-3-nitroprop-2-en-1-ones using halogenation-dehydrohalogenation strategy to (E)-1-aryl-3-nitroprop-2-en-1-ones. The fine structure of nitro- and bromonitroenketones and it’s features were determined by 1H–1H NOESY NMR and X-ray diffraction analysis.