It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel compound useful as a constituent of an organic EL element and the use of the compound permits the realization of a highly practical organic EL element whose driving voltage is substantially low and which has a low leakage current. Accordingly, the present invention herein provides a fluoranthene compound represented by the following general formula (1): A-L-B  (1) wherein A and B each represent a monovalent group having a fluoranthene structure represented by the following general formula (2), provided that A is linked to the group L present in the general formula (1), at the carbon atom selected from those specified by the numerical values of 7 to 10 appearing in Formula (2) and that B is linked to the group L present in Formula (1), at the carbon atom selected from those specified by the numerical values of 1 to 6 appearing in Formula (2): wherein L is a member selected from the group consisting of a single bond, substituted or unsubstituted arylene groups each having 6 to 40 carbon atoms, divalent groups derived from substituted or unsubstituted arylamines each having 6 to 40 carbon atoms, divalent groups derived from substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic rings each having 3 to 40 carbon atoms and substituted or unsubstituted ethenylene groups.