A series of donor–acceptor molecules, featuring intense low-energy intramolecular charge-transfer bands, was prepared by regioselective [2 + 2] cycloaddition between 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) and N,N-dialkylanilino-substituted (DAA-substituted) alkynes, followed by ring opening of the initially formed cyclobutenes.