The invention discloses a novel infrared nonlinear optical material. The molecular formula of the novel infrared nonlinear optical material is RbHgI3, a crystal is an orthorhombic system, a space group is Ama2(No.40), and main crystallographic parameters include a=8.838(3) , b=9.824(3) , c=11.050(3) , alpha=beta=gamma=90.00oand Z=4. The material has the outstanding advantages that the material has a high phase-matched second-order non-linear optical coefficient; wide light-transmitting windows are arranged in an ultraviolet region, a visible region and an infrared region; good thermal stability is achieved. A synthetic method includes adding RbI and HgI2 in the molar ratio of 1:1 into an organic solvent, stirring at the temperature of 80 DEG C till clear and transparent solution is formed, and continuing to stir for 24 hours; after reaction, cooling naturally; performing slow evaporation or slow cooling at the room temperature to obtain a yellow transparent crystal. The novel infrared nonlinear optical material has the advantages of simplicity in operation, mild experimental conditions, high product purity, capability of obtaining the crystal of a compound by utilizing the simple solvent, and the like; the crystal material can be widely applied to the optical field and the like.