ISOPRENE COPOLYMER AND METHOD OF PRODUCING THE SAME

A copolymer having properties (durability (fracture resistance, abrasion resistance, and crack-growth resistance)) similar to those of natural rubber and a method of producing the copolymer are provided. An isoprene copolymer has a styrene block or a butadiene block at a terminal thereof, wherein styrene monomers account for less than 5 mol% of all monomers forming the isoprene copolymer having the styrene block; butadiene monomers account for 10 mol% or less of all monomers forming the isoprene copolymer having the butadiene block; and cis-1,4 bond content of a portion derived from isoprene accounts for at least 95% in total.