New pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyrrole derivatives with multiple-acceptor substitution: Efficient fluorescent emission and near-infrared two-photon absorption

•Pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyrrole (PP) was modified with four or six units of 4-cyanophenyl.•6CNPP was the first example that the PP was fully substituted by six acceptors.•More substituents in 6CNPP lead to enhanced intramolecular steric repulsion.•The compounds showed blue fluorescence with high Φfs of 88–90% in toluene.•They also possessed two-photon absorption cross-sections of 160–240 GM at 700 nm.