Compound having substituted pyridyl group and pyridoindole ring structure linked through phenylene group, and organic electroluminescent device

Objects of the present invention are to provide an organic compound having excellent properties, which is excellent in electron-injecting/transporting performances, has hole-blocking ability and is highly stable in a thin-film state, as a material for an organic electroluminescent device having a high efficiency and a high durability; and to provide an organic electroluminescent device having a high efficiency and a high durability using the compound. The invention relates to a compound having a substituted pyridyl group and a pyridoindole ring structure linked through a phenylene group, which is represented by the general formula (1); and an organic EL device comprising a pair of electrodes and at least one organic layer interposed between the electrodes, wherein the at least one organic layer contains the compound: