The 1:1 complex of squaric acid (3,4-dihydroxy-3-cyclobutene-1,2-dion) with DABCO mono-betaine (1-carboxymethyl-1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane inner salt), 1, has been characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis, FTIR and NMR spectroscopies and by DFT calculations. The crystal of 1 is triclinic, space group P (1) over bar. Short COOH center dot center dot center dot O and N-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds of 2.445(2) and 2.582(2) angstrom. respectively, link the diprotonated DABCO mono-betaine dications and squarate dianions into chain. The structure is additionally stabilized by the N+center dot center dot center dot O electrostatic interactions and weak C-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds. The FTIR spectrum shows two broad absorptions in the 3000-2000 cm(-1) region assigned to the nu N-H center dot center dot center dot O vibration and in the 1900-500 cm(-1) region attributed to the nu(OHO) and gamma(OHO) vibrations of the short hydrogen bonds. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.