This invention provides an improved process for preparing cis-6-phenyl-5-[4-(2-pyrrolidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-2-methoxy-5,6,7,8-te- trahydronaphthalene hydrochloride which is an intermediate for the preparation of (-)-cis-6-phenyl-5-[4-(2-pyrrolidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-5,6,7,8-tetrahyd- ronaphthalene-2-ol which is useful for the treatment of osteoporosis.