| abstract |
An object of the present invention is to provide a method of producing a copolymer that produces an aromatic vinyl-diene copolymer having a low glass transition temperature, and a method of producing a rubber composition using the method. The subject method produces an aromatic vinyl-diene copolymer having a content of repeating units derived from an aromatic vinyl in an amount of 18 mass % or greater, and among repeating units derived from a diene, a proportion of a vinyl structure of 8 mol % or less, a proportion of a 1,4-trans structure of 60 mol % or less, and a proportion of a 1,4-cis structure from 40 to 95 mol %, the method including copolymerizing a monomer containing an aromatic vinyl and a diene using an initiator prepared with an organolithium compound, an alkylaluminum, a metal alcoholate, and at least one polar compound selected from the group consisting of water and an alcohol. |