In accordance with the present invention there is provided a process for preparing a cyclopentadienyl-type ligand, the process comprises (1) reacting an alkali metal salt of a cyclopentadienyl-type compound and an aminofulvene compound to form a monoanion, (2) reacting the monoanion and a reducing agent to form a dianion, and (3) reacting the dianion and water to produce the cyclopentadienyl-type ligand. Another aspect of the present invention includes a process for preparing a metallocene compound comprising reacting the dianion of step (2) and a transition metal-containing compound to form the metallocene compound. Another aspect of the present invention includes a process for preparing a metallocene compound comprising reacting the ligand of step (3) and an alkali metal compound to form a dianion and then reacting the dianion with a transition metal-containing compound to form the metallocene compound.