The effect of solvent molecule on the emission properties of Sm(hfa)(3)(phen)(2) (hfa = hexafluoroacetylacetonato, phen = phenanthoroline) was investigated using acetone, acetonitrile, and-pyridine. (5)G(5/2) -> H-5(9/2) transition intensities in pyridine were found to be larger than those in corresponding acetone and acetonitrile. The radiative rate constant in pyridine (4.8 x 10(2) s(-1)) was 2 times larger than those in acetonitrile (2.6 x 10(2) s(-1)) and acetone (2.3 x 10(2) s(-1)), although the nonradiative transition via vibrational relaxation (k(nr) = 1.7 x 10(4) s(-1)) in pyridine was the same as those in acetone and acetonitrile (k(nr) = 1.8 x 10(4) s(-1)), resulting in the enhanced emission quantum yield of Sm(III) complex in pyridine (2.7%). The coordination structures of Sm(hfa)(3)(phen)(2) in acetonitrile, acetone, and pyridine were estimated by X-ray single-crystal analyses. These results indicate that enhancement of the emission properties in pyridine is due to faster radiative rate related to formation of asymmetrical nine-coordinated structure, Sm(hfa)(3)(phen)(py) (py = pyridine).