A novel bathophenanthroline compound of the general formula [I] or [II] is provided ##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be the same or different and independently represent a linear, branched or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group, or a substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group provided that at least one of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 has at least two carbon atoms, and wherein Ar.sup.1 and Ar.sup.2 may be the same or different and independently represent a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group. A process for preparing the compound is also provided wherein bathophenanthroline and an organolithium compound are subjected to nucleophilic substitution reaction to obtain the compound of the above formula [I] or [II].