The invention aims to provide a perylene derivative preparation process featuring satisfactory yields and improved preparation efficiency, a perylene derivative obtained by the process, and an organic EL device using the same. The object is achieved by a perylene derivative preparation process comprising subjecting to coupling reaction a 1,8-dihalogenated naphthalene derivative of the formula (1): ##STR00001## wherein X is Cl, Br or I, R.sub.1 to R.sub.4, R.sub.11 and R.sub.12 each are hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkenyl, alkenyloxy, alkenylthio, aralkyl, aralkyloxy, aralkylthio, aryl, aryloxy, and arylthio radicals which may be substituted, amino radical, cyano radical, hydroxyl radical, --COOM.sub.1 radical (wherein M.sub.1 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, aralkyl or aryl), --COM.sub.2 radical (wherein M.sub.2 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, aralkyl, aryl or amino), or --OCOM.sub.3 radical (wherein M.sub.3 is alkyl, alkenyl, aralkyl or aryl), and at least two adjoining radicals selected from among R.sub.1 to R.sub.4, R.sub.11 and R.sub.12 may bond or fuse together to form a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aliphatic ring, aromatic ring or fused aromatic ring with the carbon atoms on which they substitute, with the proviso that when the carbocyclic aliphatic ring, aromatic ring or fused aromatic ring has substituent radicals, the substituent radicals are the same as R.sub.1 to R.sub.4, R.sub.11 and R.sub.12, to thereby synthesize a perylene derivative of the formula (2): ##STR00002## wherein R.sub.1' to R.sub.4', R.sub.11' and R.sub.12' are as defined for R.sub.1 to R.sub.4, R.sub.11 and R.sub.12 in formula (1), and R.sub.1 to R.sub.4, R.sub.11 and R.sub.12 and R.sub.1' to R.sub.4', R.sub.11' and R.sub.12' may be the same or different.