L-Aspartic and L-glutamic acid-based novel N-propargylamides, (S)-HC=-CCH2NHCOCH-(CH(2)COOcyclohexyl)NHCOOt-Bu (1) and (S)-HC-CCH2NHCOCH(CH(2)CH(2)COOcyclohexyl)NHCOOt-Bu, were synthesized and polymerized using a rhodium catalyst. The corresponding polymers [poly(1) and poly(2)] with moderate molecular weights were obtained in good yields. CD and UV-vis spectroscopic analyses revealed that poly(1) and poly(2) took helical structures, whose tightness was different. The presence of intramolecular hydrogen bonding was confirmed by liquid-state IR spectroscopy. Poly(1a) and poly(2a) carrying free carboxyl groups were obtained by alkaline hydrolysis of poly(1) and poly(2). Poly(1a) did not form a helix, while poly(2a) formed a helix undergoing inversion of helical sense and change of tightness upon addition of KOH.