[GRAPHICS] 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 alpha-substituent to the substrate. The UV-vis spectra of the CPAs show a nonconjugated structure and Z conformation compared to the linear oligophenylazomethines (OPAs).