To date, nitro-containing compounds form one of the most important classes of organic compounds. The chemistry of these molecules attracts attention primarily due to their use as high-energy reagents and drugs. Also, the introduction of a nitro group is a popular synthetic strategy for constructing new organic molecules. The present review summarizes the latest research findings of compounds bearing a nitro group on a two-carbon moiety such as aminonitroethylenes, alpha,alpha-bis(alkyl-sulfanyl)nitroalkenes and their amino derivatives, alpha-nitroketones, alkyl nitroacetates and nitroacetonitrile. The literature data are systematized according to the type of chemical reactions such as reactions between nucleophiles and electrophiles, various cyclization reactions, reactions at the C-H bond, etc. The reactivities of the said nitro compounds and the conditions of chemical transformations are compared to assess the prospects of their application.