The synthesis of extended heteroarenes via the acid-promoted dehydrocyclisation of arylamino-anthraquinones is examined as an approach to highly conjugated electron-acceptor materials and eventually to heterographene nanoribbons. Whilst the latter perspective is found to remain challenging, the former is exemplified by the synthesis of extended tetraazaheterocycles bearing solubilising alkyl substituents. © The Royal Society of Chemistry and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 2012.