To produce the subject copolymer excellent in gas barrier properties and heat resistance by copolymerizing a specific cyclic olefin with a terminal alkenylborane compound and then oxidizing the resultant copolymer.
(A) A cyclic olefin represented by formula I [(n) and (k) are each 0 or 1; (m) is 0 or a positive integer; R1 to R18, Ra and Rb are each H, a halogen or the like] is copolymerized with (B) a terminal alkenylborane compound (e.g. B-3-propenyl-dibutylborane) in the presence of a catalyst comprising a soluble vanadium compound and an organoaluminum compound or a catalyst comprising a metallocene compound and an organoaluminumoxy compound and/or an ionized ionic compound in a liquid phase comprising a hydrocarbon medium. The resultant copolymer is then oxidized to afford the objective copolymer represented by formula II [(h) is 1-50; (i) and (j) are each 1-20; (t) is 10-5,000]. The molar ratio of the components A:B is preferably (10:90) to (70:30).
MORIYA SATORU
MORISONO KENICHI
