Pyrene-functionalized chiral N-proparaylamide, (R)-HC=-CCH2NHCOCH(CH3)O-1,4-C6H4-OCO(CH2)(3)-1-pyrenyl (1) was polymerized with (nbd)Rh+[eta(6)-C6H5B-(C6H5)(3)] as a catalyst to obtain the corresponding polymer with a moderate weight in a good yield. Poly(l) was soluble in CHCl3. CH2Cl2, and THF The polarimetric and CD spectroscopic data indicated that poly(1) existed in a helical structure with predominantly one-handed screw sense in these solvents. The helical structure was stable upon heating and addition of MeOH. Poly(l) showed very large excimer-based fluorescence compared with 1. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier Ltd.