Single crystals of 3-nitroacetanilide, an organic nonlinear optical material has been grown by the Bridgman-Stockbarger method. The single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) data revealed the noncentrosymmetric crystal structure, which is an essential criterion for second harmonic generation. The crystalline nature of the grown crystals was confirmed using powder XRD techniques. The functional group of the compound is identified by FTIR spectrum. The thermal stability and its tendency to grow as single crystal in solution and in melt have been identified for the new title compound. The UV-vis spectrum of mNAA shows the lower optical cut off at 400 nm and was transparent in the visible region. The second harmonic generation efficiency was found using Kurtz powder technique. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss of the crystal were measured as a function of frequency and temperature, and the results are discussed. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.