Abstract: A metal hydride complex of the invention is a hydride complex of a metal selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, rhodium, osmium and iridium and has one or more aromatic carboxylic acid residues. According to the invention, there is provided a new metal hydride complex which is dissolved in an organic solvent having a low polarity such as a hydrocarbon solvent at a high concentration and has a high catalytic activity of hydrogenating carbon-carbon double bonds. The metal hydride complex relating to the invention is especially suitable as a catalyst in the hydrogenation reaction of a cycloolefin ring-opening polymer.

Abstract: A thermoplastic norbornene resin which displays a high degree of toughness, and for which the exhibited retardation and the wavelength dependency of that retardation can be controlled is provided, which is formed from a copolymer with a structural unit represented by a general formula (1) and a structural unit represented by a general formula (2).

Abstract: An optical film is provided, which displays a positive wavelength dependency across the entire wavelength region from 400 to 800 nm, and is capable of imparting a specified retardation to transmitted light with a single sheet of film. The optical film particularly, includes a thermoplastic norbornene-based resin with a specified structure formed of a structural unit (I) which imparts a positive birefringence and a structural unit (II) which imparts a negative birefringence, and which satisfies particular conditions with respect to ?NI(?), ?NII(?), ?NI(800) and ?NII(800) wherein ?NI(?) and ?NII(?) represent the difference between a refractive index Nx(?) in an x axis direction at a wavelength ?, and a refractive index Ny(?) in a y axis direction, and ?NI(800) and ?NII(800) represent the difference in refractive indexes at a wavelength of 800 nm, and the x axis represents the stretching direction and the y axis represents the in-plane direction perpendicular to the x direction.

Abstract: Optical films are provided for which the retardation generated, and the wavelength dispersion of that retardation, are able to be controlled. (1) An optical film containing a thermoplastic norbornene resin with a photoelastic coefficient (CP) within a range from 0 to 100 (×10?12 Pa?1), and a stress optical coefficient (CR) within a range from 1500 to 4000 (×10?12 Pa?1). (2) An optical film containing a thermoplastic norbornene resin either with a group represented by the general formula (2), shown below, or with at least one group selected from the general formulas (3) and (4) shown below.

Abstract: An optical film is provided, which displays a positive wavelength dependency across the entire wavelength region from 400 to 800 nm, and is capable of imparting a specified retardation to transmitted light with a single sheet of film.

Abstract: Optical films are provided for which the retardation generated, and the wavelength dispersion of that retardation, are able to be controlled. (1) An optical film containing a thermoplastic norbomene resin with a photoelastic coefficient (CP) within a range from 0 to 100 (×10−12 Pa−1), and a stress optical co-efficient (CR) within a range from 1500 to 4000 (×10−12 Pa−1). (2) An optical film containing a thermoplastic norbornene resin either with a group represented by the general formula (2), shown below, or with at least one group selected from the general formulas (3) and (4) shown below. —(CH2)p—O—C(O)—R5.

Abstract: A thermoplastic norbornene resin which displays a high degree of toughness, and for which the exhibited retardation and the wavelength dependency of that retardation can be controlled is provided, which is formed from a copolymer with a structural unit represented by a general formula (1) and a structural unit represented by a general formula (2). [wherein, m is an integer of 1 or greater, p is either 0, or an integer of 1 or greater, each X and each Y represents, independently, either —CH═CH— or —CH2CH2—, and R1 to R8 each represent, independently, a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a hydrocarbon group or the like.