To provide an organic electroluminescent element that promotes recombination of the hole and the electron in the luminous layer and exhibits light- emission of a further high luminance and high efficiency.

In the organic electroluminescent element, the organic layer having a luminous region is provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. At least a part of the above organic layer is made of a mixed ligand complex such as, for example, (vasophenanthroline) bis (benzenthiolate) zinc complex as expressed by the following structural formula (I).