Single crystals of 1-(4-N, N-dimethylaminopyridinium) acetic acid bromide monohydrate were grown by evaporating the solvents from an aqueous solution. The single crystal X-ray structure solution confirmed the monoclinic system of the compound with P2(1)/n space group. The functional groups were identified using FTIR and Laser Raman. Proton NMR spectral analyses were carried out to identify the position of protons. Optical properties like second harmonic generation, UV-Vis in transmittance mode and fluorescence were studied. Thermogravimetrical analysis was carried out to determine the thermal properties of the grown crystal. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.