An ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVA)-copper complex membrane was prepared by casting an EVA-CuC1, mixture (solvent : water-propanol (1 : 1 v/v) mixture) on a polyethylene substrate and then immersing it in 0,l M KOH aqueous solution. In the membrane, Cu was distributed asymmetrically in the direction of the membrane cross section. The distribution of Cu could be controlled by the temperature during preparation. The oxidation of hydroquinone during permeation through the complex membrane was performed using membranes with different Cu distribution. This distribution influences the permeation reaction. These results are well reproduced by a relation composed of Fick's law and Michaelis-Menten type reaction kinetics. Therefore, a good reactor can be developed by controlling the catalyst distribution. 0 1992, Huthig & Wepf Verlag, Basel CCC 0025-1 16X/92/$05.00