An object of the present invention is to provide, as a material for a highly efficient and highly durable organic EL element, an organic compound having excellent properties, including excellent electron-injecting/transporting capability, hole-blocking capability, and high stability in the form of a thin film. Another object of the present invention is to provide a highly efficient and highly durable organic EL element by using this compound. The compound having an azabenzoxazole ring structure of the present invention has excellent heat resistance, and good electron-transporting capability. An organic EL element having an electron-transporting layer, a hole-blocking layer, a light-emitting layer, or an electron-injecting layer including the compound had favorable element characteristics.