Sm(DBM)(3)Phen complexes have been synthesized and studied in detail. X-ray diffraction analysis of Sm(DBM)(3)Phen complex reveals crystalline behavior. An enhancement in the fluorescence intensity as compared to the Sm(Phen)(3)center dot 2H(2)Oand Sm(DBM)(3)center dot 2H(2)O samples has been observed. Stark splitting of the Sm3+ emission bands has also been observed. The fluorescence decay time for Sm3+ ((4)G(5/2) -> H-6(9/2) transition) is seen to increase from 221.6 mu s in Sm3+ to 232.6 mu s in presence of Sm(DBM)(3)center dot 2H(2)O and to 260.6 mu s in Sm(DBM)(3)Phen. Energy transfer from excited Phen to DBM and finally from DBM to Sm3+ is proposed as the cause of the above observations. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.