A method of producing a polyarylene oxide comprising a step of oxidative polymerization of a monomer represented by the general formula (1) in an organic solvent in the presence of a transition metal compound, ##STR00001## wherein, Ar represents a benzene ring or a naphthalene ring, R.sup.1 represents a hydrocarbon group optionally substituted, a hydrocarbonoxy group optionally substituted, or a halogen atom; a represents an integer of 0 to 5, and when a is 2 or more, R.sup.1s may be the same or different, adjacent R.sup.1s may mutually bond to form a ring; R.sup.2 represents a single bond or an arylene group; R.sup.3 represents a hydrocarbon group optionally substituted or a trialkylsilyl group.