Use of an organic EL device comprising a dipyridylthiophene derivative represented by the following general formula (1) has made it possible to provide an organic EL device with high luminous efficiency at low voltage. Provided that in the formula, X is S or SO2, R5 and R6 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbons, an alkenyl group of 2-6 carbons, an alkoxy group of 1-6 carbons, an aryloxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, with the proviso that when R5 and R6 each independently represent an alkenyl, alkoxy, aryl or heterocyclic group they may be bonded together but not into a benzo condensed ring, and A1 and A2 are independently a 2-pyridyl group or 3-pyridyl group