m-Calix[3]amide bearing three pyrenes (1a) was prepared by the condensation reaction of 3-nonylaminobenzoic acid derivative using Ph3PCl2. Pyrenyl groups were found to be aligned in the screw-like fashion by m-calix[3]amide as confirmed by the X-ray crystallography. Aromatic proton signals observed at the up-field region in the H-1 NMR spectrum at low temperature indicated that pyrenyl groups in 1a are aligned in close proximity in THF solution. UV-vis absorption and fluorescence emission spectra did not show marked peak shift nor concentration fluorescence quenching compared with reference compounds implying no significant electronic interaction between pyrenyl groups. These results can be explained by the steric effect of the m-calix[3]amide platform. On the other hand, an excimer emission was observed for m-calix[3]amide having a flexible spacer between pyrene and m-calix[3] amide (1b). (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.