A series of 3-nitrochalcones have been synthesized enroute towards fused ring pyrazolones and isoxazolones. Base catalyzed condensation of the chalcones with ethylacetoacetate yielded cyclohexenones in good yields (74–76%). The treatment of cyclohexenones with hydrazine hydrate or hydroxylamine chloride in the presence of a base afforded the corresponding fused-ring pyrazolinones (70–78% yield) and