AMENDED CLAIMS

received by the International Bureau on 27 January 2014 (27.01.2014)

[Claim 1] (Amended) An optical element comprising a molded

article,

wherein the molded article is prepared by molding a polymer prepared by polymerizing a (meth) acrylate compound represented at least by the following

general formula (1) :

Formula 1

wherein a and b are each an integer of 1 or 2; X and Y are each -S- or -0-; Ri and R₂ are each an alkyl group having 1 or 2 carbon atoms or a hydrogen atom; and Z i and Z ₂ are each represented by the following general formula (2) :

Formula 2

wherein m is selected from 0 and 1; W is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and V is selected from

substituents represented by the following:

*-0-C_nH_2n-0-**;

*-S-C_nH_2n-S-**; and

*-S-C_nH_2n-0-**,

wherein * represents a bond with an alkyl group; ** represents a bond with a (meth) acryloyl group; n is 71

selected from 2, 3 and 4; and at least one hydrogen atom of -C_nH_2n- is replaced by a methyl group.

[Claim 2] The optical element according to claim 1, wherein the optical element is a lens.

[Claim 3] The optical element according to claim 2, wherein the lens comprises a lens base material and the molded article provided on the lens base material.

[Claim 4] The optical element according to claim 2, wherein the lens comprises two lens base materials and the molded article provided between the two lens base materials .

[Claim 5] The optical element according to claim 1, wherein X

and Y are each - S - or -0-; Ri and R₂ are each an alkyl group having 1 or 2 carbon atoms; and Z i and Z₂ are each an alkyl group having 1 or 2 carbon atoms, having a substituent and represented by the general formula (2) .

[Claim 6] (Amended) The optical element according to claim 1, wherein X and Y are -0-; Ri and R₂ are each an alkyl group having 1 or 2 carbon atoms.

[Claim 7] The optical element according to claim 1, wherein V is a substituent represented by the following:

*-0-C_nH_2n-0-**,

wherein * represents a bond with an alkyl group; ** represents a bond with a (meth) acryloyl group; n is selected from 2, 3 and 4; and at least one hydrogen atom of -C_nH_2n- is replaced by a methyl group.

[Claim The optical element according to claim 1, wherein m is 0.

[Claim The optical element according to claim 1, wherein a and b are 1.

[Claim (Amended) An optical composition comprising a

(meth) acrylate compound represented at least by the following general formula (1) and a polymerization initiator :

Formula 1 72 wherein a and b are each an integer of 1 or 2; X and Y are each -S- or -0-; Ri and R₂ are each an alkyl group having 1 or 2 carbon atoms or a

hydrogen atom; and Z i and Z ₂ are each represented by the following general formula (2) :

Formula 2

wherein m is selected from 0 and 1; W is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and V is selected from substituents represented by the following:

*-0-C_nH_2n-0-**;

*-S-C_nH_2n-S-**; and

*-S-C_nH_2n-0-**,

wherein * represents a bond with an alkyl group; ** represents a bond with a (meth) acryloyl group; n is selected from 2, 3 and 4; and at least one hydrogen atom of -C_nH_2n- is replaced by a methyl group.

[Claim 11] (Amended) The optical composition according to claim

10, wherein X and Y are each -S- or-0-; Ri and R₂ are each an alkyl group having 1 or 2 carbon atoms.

[Claim 12] The optical composition according to claim 10 or 11, wherein X and Y are -0-; Ri and R₂ are each an alkyl group having 1 or 2 carbon atoms; and Z i and Z ₂ are each an alkyl group having 1 or 2 carbon atoms, 73

having a substituent and represented by the general formula (2) .

[Claim 13] The optical composition according to any one of

claims 10 to 12, wherein V is a substituent

represented by the following:

*-0-C_nH_2n-0-**,

wherein * represents a bond with an alkyl group; ** represents a bond with a (meth) acryloyl group; n is selected from 2, 3 and 4; and at least one hydrogen atom of -C_nH_2n- is replaced by a methyl group.

[Claim 14] The optical composition according to any one of

claims 10 to 13, wherein m is 0.

[Claim 15] The optical composition according to any one of

claims 10 to 14, wherein a and b are 1.

[Claim 16] A molded article prepared by molding a polymer of an optical composition according to any one of claims 10 to 15.

[Claim 17] (Amended) A (meth) acrylate compound represented at least by the following general formula (1) :

Formula 1

wherein a and b are each an integer of 1 or 2; X and Y are each -S- or -0-; Ri and R₂ are each an alkyl group having 1 or 2 carbon atoms or a

hydrogen atom; and Z_x and Z₂ are each represented by the following general formula (2) :

Formula 2 wherein m is selected from 0 and 1; W is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and V is selected from substituents represented by the following:

*-0-C_nH_2n-0-**;

*-S-C_nH_2n-S-**; and

*-S-C_nH_2n-0-**,

wherein * represents a bond with an alkyl group; ** represents a bond with a (meth) acryloyl group; n is selected from 2, 3 and 4; and at least one hydrogen atom of -C_nH_2n- is replaced by a methyl group.