A method of producing an aromatic compound of the following formula (3) comprising reacting a compound of the following formula (1) with an olefin compound of the following formula (2) in the presence of a transition metal complex: (wherein, an Ar1 ring represents an aromatic hydrocarbon ring or aromatic heterocyclic ring, an Ar2 ring represents a heterocyclic ring containing X1 and N*, and the X1 represents a nitrogen atom or carbon atom and the N represents a nitrogen atom connecting via a double bond to either one of two adjacent atoms in the Ar2 ring.) (wherein, R1, R2, R3 and R4 represent each independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or an aryl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms.) (wherein, Ar1, Ar2, X1, N*, R1, R2 and R3 represent the same meanings as described above.).