  We report optimized crystal growth conditions for the quaternary compound
CuCrP$_2$S$_6$ by chemical vapor transport. Compositional and structural
characterization of the obtained crystals were carried out by means of
energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction.
CuCrP$_2$S$_6$ is structurally closely related to the $M_2$P$_2$S$_6$ family
($M$: transition metal), which contains several compounds that are under
investigation as 2D magnets. As-grown crystals exhibit a plate-like, layered
morphology as well as a hexagonal habitus. We present successful exfoliation of
such as-grown crystals down to thicknesses of 2.8 nm corresponding to 4 layers.
CuCrP$_2$S$_6$ crystallizes in the monoclinic space group $C2/c$. Magnetization
measurements reveal an antiferromagnetic ground state with $T_\textrm{N}
\approx 30$ K and a positive Curie-Weiss temperature in agreement with dominant
ferromagnetic intralayer coupling. Specific heat measurements confirm this
magnetic phase transition and the magnetic order is suppressed in an external
magnetic field of about 6 T (8 T) applied parallel (perpendicular) to the $ab$
plane. At higher temperatures between 140-200 K additional broad anomalies
associated with structural changes accompanying antiferroelectric ordering are
detected in our specific heat studies.
