A high-efficient phosphorescent iridium (III) complex with a heteroatom linking group and an organic electroluminescent (EL) device using the same. The iridium complex is represented by Formula 1 or Formula 2: ##STR00001## ##STR00002## The iridium complex of the present invention complex can efficiently emit light ranging from a blue region to a red region in a triplet MLCT state. The iridium (III) complex can be used in formation of an organic layer of an organic EL device. Since the iridium complex of the present invention can be used as a high-efficiency phosphorescent material, the iridium complex of the present invention can produce white light emission when used together with a green-emitting material or a red-emitting material as well as emission at the wavelength range of 400-650 nm.