A tin(IV) complex constructed by 1,10-phenanthroline: tetrachloro(1,10-phenanthroline-N,N′)tin(IV) has been synthesized. Its crystal structure has been determined by means of X-ray single crystal diffraction, the tin(IV) atom is six-coordinate in a distorted octahedral geometry, intermolecular CH···Cl hydrogen bonds lead to the formation of a double chains along [101]. Its thermal stability was determined by TGA/DSC. Its second hyperpolarizability γ value was determined to be 6.2×10 −58 Cm 4 /V 3 by Z-scan technique with 20picosecond (ps) pulses at wavelength 1064nm. Theoretical calculations of its γ value were performed by MOPAC2012 program and the calculated value is in good agreement with the experimental value.