A new organic nonlinear optical material L-prolinium trichloroacetate (L-PTCA) single crystal has been synthesized and grown by slow solvent evaporation technique at room temperature using water as solvent. Single-crystal X-ray diffractometer was utilized to measure unit cell parameters and to confirm lattice parameter. The powder X-ray diffraction pattern of the grown L-PTCA has been indexed. The modes of vibration of different molecular groups present in the sample were identified by the FTIR spectral analysis. The optical transmittance window and the lower cutoff wavelength of the L-PTCA have been identified by UV-vis-NIR studies. Thermal stability of the L-prolinium trichloroacetate was determined by TGA/DTA measurements. Dielectric measurements were carried out at various temperatures at frequency range 10-1 MHz. The mechanical properties of the grown crystals have been analyzed by Vickers microhardness method. The chemical etching studies were carried out on the grown crystals. Its SHG efficiency has been tested by Kurtz powder method. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.