To provide a new metallocene-type zirconium compound having a racemic structure and useful as a component of an olefin polymerization catalyst having high activity, a method for producing the zirconium compound, a component of an olefin polymerization catalyst having high activity and the use of the zirconium compound for the efficient production of an olefin polymer.

The zirconium compound is racemic ethylenebis(1-indenyl) zirconium diphenoxide. The method for the production of racemic ethylenebis(1- indenyl)zirconium diphenoxide comprises the use of racemic ethylenebis(1-indenyl) zirconium dichloride as a starting material. The component of an olefin polymerization catalyst is composed of the racemic ethylenebis(1-indenyl)zirconium diphenoxide. The racemic ethylenebis(1-indenyl)zirconium diphenoxide is used as a catalyst component in the homopolymerization of an olefin or the copolymerization of plural olefins.