Centimeter-sized single crystals of Tl3PbCl5 were successfully grown by the Bridgman-Stockbarger method using silica ampoules sealed under HCl gas. We present the growth conditions together with a characterization of the single crystals by means of X-ray single-crystal diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, Raman, Fourier-transform infrared and visible spectroscopy. We also stress the non equilibrium character of the phase transition undergone by this compound at 171 degrees C (444.15 K). (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.