Some bimetallic thiocyanate complexes exhibit excellent nonlinear optical properties. Single crystals of one such material, zinc mercury thiocyanate ZnHg(SCN)4 have been grown in silica gel with gel technique by the process of diffusions and the optimum growth condition has been studied. Crystals of 4 mm length have been obtained. Their structural, optical and thermal properties have been studied. Structural analysis was carried out using an X-ray diffractometer and the crystal structure was confirmed to be tetragonal. Fourier transform infrared spectrum was obtained to confirm the functional groups. Transmission spectrum has been recorded in the solution state and the cut-off wavelength has been determined. Thermal stability of the grown crystal has been investigated by thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses. Nonlinear optical property of the crystal has been confirmed using the Kurtz powder technique and a study of its second harmonic generation efficiency in comparison with urea has been made. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.