The synthesis of chalcone derivative compound is reported. The compound showed second harmonic generation conversion efficiency in powder form. Solubility of 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(phenyl)-2-propen-1-one in acetone was studied. Single crystals of the same compound was grown by slow evaporation technique using acetone as the solvent. Large crystal of size 55 x 33 x 5 mm(3) was obtained. The microhardness of the crystal was measured by Vickers hardness method. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.