A　novel　unsymmetrical　squaramide-linked　squaraine　dye　(SQ)　has　been　synthesized　through　squaramide　3　and　semisquaraine　6.　The　molecular　structure　of　SQ　has　been　characterized　by　H-1　NMR,　IR　and　MS.　Due　to　the　influence　of　the　hydrogen　bond　and　the　solvent　effect,　SQ　exhibits　unique　spectral　properties　compared　with　typical　squaraine　dyes.　For　its　excellent　ability　of　binding　primary　amine,　SQ　is　a　promising　receptor　of　recognizing　primary　amine.　(C)　2011　Published　by　Elsevier　B.V.　on　behalf　of　Chinese　Chemical　Society.