[1] The colorless substance can be crystallized from petroleum ether in the form of white needles at −60 °C and decomposes quickly upon contact with atmospheric oxygen and water.

[2] Beryllocene can be prepared by reacting beryllium chloride and sodium cyclopentadienide in benzene or diethyl ether:[2] In contrast to the uncharged metallocenes of the transition metals V, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Ru and Os, which have a strictly symmetrical and therefore dipoleless structure, beryllocene has a electric dipole moment of 2.46 Debye (in benzene), or 2.24 Debye (in cyclohexane), indicating asymmetry of the molecule.

[2] In contrast, the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum shows only one signal down to −135 °C, indicating either a symmetrical structure or a rapid fluctuation of the rings.

[7] Based on gas-phase electron diffraction studies at 120 °C, Arne Haaland concluded in 1979 that the two rings are only about 80 pm shifted from each other and are not coordinated η5,η1, but rather η5,η3.

It reacts violently in water to produce beryllium hydroxide and cyclopentadiene:[2] Like magnesocene, beryllocene also forms ferrocene with iron(II) chloride.