Novel Cyclic Molecules: Selective Synthesis of Cyclic Phenylazomethines

Novel cyclic molecules, the cyclic phenylazomethine trimers (CPAs), were synthesized via the dehydration of the 4-aminobenzophenone derivatives. The yields of the CPAs were enhanced to over 90% by induction of the bulky α-substituent to the substrate. The UV−vis spectra of the CPAs show a nonconjugated structure and Z conformation compared to the linear oligophenylazomethines (OPAs).