The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C(8)H(6)N(2)O(4), consists of two independent mol-ecules with similar geometries, each adopting a trans configuration about the olefinic double bond. The two mol-ecules are both almost planar (r.m.s. deviations = 0.034 and 0.035 Å) and form a dihedral angle of 83.62 (2)°. Short N⋯O contacts [2.834 (3)-2.861 (3) Å] are observed between the nitro groups of neighbouring mol-ecules, with the O atom located directly atop the p orbital of the N atom. In the crystal, the mol-ecules are linked into a three-dimensional network by the N⋯O inter-actions and by C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.