A solution was prepared by dissolving 10 g of fluorene in 100 mL of THF and then this was slowly reacted with 37.6 mL of a 1.6 molar solution of n-butyllithium in hexane. This dark red solution was stirred overnight at room temperature. Then a solution was prepared by combining 8.8 g of 6-(butenyl)-6-methylfulvene with 50 mL of THF. This later solution was then added dropwise over a period of one half hour to the solution of the fluorenyl lithium salt. The resulting reaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature and then 100 mL of water was added. The organic phase was dried overnight over sodium sulfate and the solvent was evaporated in a vacuum. The yellow residue was dissolved in pentane and filtered using silica gel. The solvent was concentrated by means of evaporation. Crystallization took place at about -18° C. to give 5-(cyclopentadienyl)-5-(9-fluorenyl)-1-hexene in the form of a white solid. This compound is also sometimes referred to as 1-(9-fluorenyl)-1-(cyclopentadienyl)-1-(but-3-enyl)-1-(methyl) methane.
