Single crystal of cyclohexylammonium hydrogen adipate (CYHAD) was grown from slow evaporation solution growth technique. The crystal structure and lattice parameters were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The material crystallized in monoclinic crystal system (P21/c). The FT-IR and CHN analysis were used to conform the functional group present in CYHAD. The material has high transparency with negligible absorption in the entire visible region and the optical band gap was found to be 4.90 eV. The PL spectrum shows the blue emission of CYHAD. The CYHAD crystal was stable up to 168.01 °C and the laser damage threshold of CYHAD was 9.74 GW/cm2. Electrical properties were studied using LCR impedance analyzer. The third order nonlinear properties (n2=-5.124 × 10−8 cm2/W, β = 0.024 × 10−4 cm/W and χ3 = 2.443 × 10−6 esu) were calculated using 532 nm diode pumped CW Nd:YAG Laser and optical limiting behavior endorse that the CYHAD material is favorable for optoelectronic applications. © 2018 Elsevier B.V.