Transition metal complex and process for producing conjugated aromatic compound using the transition metal complex

A process for producing a conjugated aromatic compound comprising reacting an aromatic compound (A) wherein one or two leaving groups are bonded to an aromatic ring with an aromatic compound (A) having the same structure as that of the above-mentioned aromatic compound (A) or an aromatic compound (B) being structurally different from the above-mentioned aromatic compound (A) and having one or two leaving groups bonded to an aromatic ring, in the presence of a transition metal complex obtained by contacting a bipyridine compound represented by the formula (1):

• wherein R1, R2 and R3 each independently represent a C1-C10 alkyl group which may be substituted, a C1-C5 alkoxy group which may be substituted or a C6-C10 aryl group which may be substituted, and R4 and R5 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C1-C3 alkyl group which may be substituted, with a compound of a transition metal belonging to Group 9, 10 or 11.

A bipyridine compound represented by the formula (15):

• wherein R11, R12 and R13 each independently represent a C1-C10 alkyl group which may be substituted, a C1-C5 alkoxy group which may be substituted or a C6-C10 aryl group which may be substituted, and R4 and R5 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C1-C3 alkyl group which may be substituted, with the proviso that R11, R12 and R13 are not methyl groups simultaneously.