Abstract: Each of the thermoplastic resin composition and the optical film of the present invention comprises a cycloolefin-based polymer (A) and a vinyl-based polymer (B) having a structural unit derived from p-isopropenylphenol. The thermoplastic resin composition and the optical film exhibit excellent compatibility of their components with keeping property of low birefringence inherent in the thermoplastic resin composition comprising the cycloolefln-based polymer and the vinyl-based polymer, and they are excellent in weathering resistance and heat resistance.

Abstract: The norbornene derivative of the present invention is represented by the following formula (Im). According to the present invention, a novel norbornene derivative that is useful as a precursor monomer for preparing a cycloolefin polymer exhibiting excellent transparency, heat resistance and low-water absorption properties and having been freely controlled in the birefringence properties and the wavelength dispersion properties can be provided. According to the present invention, further, a norbornene ring-opened (co)polymer having excellent transparency and heat resistance, exhibiting high solubility in organic solvents and having specific birefringence properties and wavelength dependence, and a process for preparing the ring-opened (co)polymer can be provided.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a thermoplastic resin composition which is inhibited from suffering phase separation and from which an optical film having excellent transparency is readily obtained, an optical film containing the composition as a main component, a retardation film which is a film obtained by stretching the optical film and exhibits positive wavelength dependence and has a small coefficient of photoelasticity and transparency, and a process for producing the retardation film.

Abstract: The thermoplastic resin composition of the present invention comprises (A) a cycloolefin-based polymer and (B) a vinyl-based polymer having a polar group, has a glass transition temperature of not lower than 100° C. and has a difference in glass transition temperature between the polymers (A) and (B) of less than 50° C. The optical film of the present invention comprises the thermoplastic resin composition of the invention. According to the present invention, it is possible to improve development of retardation at a low stress in the film stretching while retaining excellent heat resistance and optical properties and maintaining wavelength dispersion properties.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a thermoplastic resin composition which exhibits excellent compatibility while retaining low birefringence and is excellent in weathering resistance and heat resistance, an optical film which is obtained from the thermoplastic resin composition and a retardation film which is excellent in weathering resistance and heat resistance and has reciprocal wavelength dispersion properties. The thermoplastic resin composition comprises a vinyl-based polymer (A) having a unit represented by the following formula (I) and a cycloolefin-based polymer (B). wherein R1 to R3 are each a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon group of 1 to 30 carbon atoms which may have a linkage containing an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a nitrogen atom or a silicon atom, or a polar group, and n is 0 or a positive integer.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a partially hydrogenated ring-opened polynorbornene and a process for making the same. The ring-opened polynorbornene is low in birefringence, high in wavelength dependency about birefringence and excellent in transparency and heat resistance.

Abstract: The norbornene derivative of the present invention is represented by the following formula (Im). According to the present invention, a novel norbornene derivative that is useful as a precursor monomer for preparing a cycloolefin polymer exhibiting excellent transparency, heat resistance and low-water absorption properties and having been freely controlled in the birefringence properties and the wavelength dispersion properties can be provided. According to the present invention, further, a norbornene ring-opened (co)polymer having excellent transparency and heat resistance, exhibiting high solubility in organic solvents and having specific birefringence properties and wavelength dependence, and a process for preparing the ring-opened (co)polymer can be provided.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a partially hydrogenated ring-opened polynorbornene and a process for making the same. The ring-opened polynorbornene is low in birefringence, high in wavelength dependency about birefringence and excellent in transparency and heat resistance.

Abstract: The invention provides a ring-opened norbornene polymer that is relatively small in birefringence, has specific wavelength dependency about birefringence and is excellent in transparency and heat resistance.

Abstract: The invention provides a ring-opened polynorbornene that is relatively low in birefringence, has specific wavelength dependency about birefringence and is excellent in transparency and heat resistance.

Abstract: A novel norbornene derivative represented by a general formula (1m) shown below is provided. By conducting a ring opening polymerization of this norbornene derivative, or by performing a subsequent hydrogenation following the ring opening polymerization, a ring opening polymer or a hydrogenated product thereof with an excellent low birefringence can be obtained. [wherein, at least one of R1 to R4 is a group selected from the group consisting of groups represented by a general formula (1-1) shown below and groups represented by a general formula (1-2) shown below] [wherein, at least one of RA, RB and Z is a group represented by the formula —C(O)O—].

Abstract: A novel norbornene derivative represented by a general formula (1m) shown below is provided. By conducting a ring opening polymerization of this norbornene derivative, or by performing a subsequent hydrogenation following the ring opening polymerization, a ring opening polymer or a hydrogenated product thereof with an excellent low birefringence can be obtained.