Two isomeric products (C(8)H(10)N(2)O(4)S) of the rearrangement of 3-methanesulfonyl-N-methyl-N-nitroaniline have been investigated, viz. 3-methanesulfonyl-N-methyl-2-nitroaniline, which was the main product of the rearrangement, and 5-methanesulfonyl-N-methyl-2-nitroaniline. In both molecules, the aromatic rings are appreciably deformed towards ortho-quinonoidal geometry by electronic and steric interactions. The crystal structure is stabilized, in both cases, by weak C-H.O hydrogen bonds.