FT Raman and IR spectra of the crystallized nonlinear optic (NLO) molecule, benzaldehyde phenylhydrazone (BPH) have been recorded and analyzed. The equilibrium geometry, bonding features and harmonic vibrational frequencies of BPH have been investigated with the help of B3LYP density functional theory (DFT) method. The assignments of the vibrational spectra have been carried out with the help of normal coordinate analysis (NCA) following the scaled quantum mechanical force field methodology (SQMFF). From the optimized geometry, the decrease in C-N bond length indicates the electron delocalization over the region of the molecule. The vibrational analysis confirm the charge transfer interaction between the phenyl rings through > C=N-N < skeleton. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.