We began our study by synthesising cyclic azobenzene ligand (Z)-1 (Scheme 1), the design of which was informed from our previous studies of N-methylated pyridinium compounds as photoresponsive G4-binding ligands. (Z)-2, 9-dibromo-11,12dihydrodibenzo[c,g][1,2]diazocine 2 was prepared using an established procedure with minor modifications. Briefly, Suzuki coupling of 4-pyridinylboronic acid with the bis-brominated cyclic azobenzene 2 afforded compound 3 in 99% yield. Finally, alkylation with iodomethane provided the target compound (Z)-1 in excellent yield of 75%. All compounds were completely characterized by using standard spectroscopic and analytical techniques (ESI).