Abstract The 9-fluorenyl cation is a member of the 4N Hückel antiaromatic series of intermediates, first observed by time-resolved spectroscopy on UV photo-excitation of 9- fluorenol. Thiophene analogs of 9-fluorenol in which one of the annelated benzene rings is replaced by a thiophene were prepared in three regioisomeric forms, and subjected to preparative and laser flash photolysis. Photoproduct studies in methanol indicated ...