Catalyst-controlled aliphatic C—H oxidations

The invention provides simple small molecule, non-heme iron catalyst systems with broad substrate scope that can predictably enhance or overturn a substrate's inherent reactivity preference for sp3-hybridized C—H bond oxidation. The invention also provides methods for selective aliphatic C—H bond oxidation. Furthermore, a structure-based catalyst reactivity model is disclosed that quantitatively correlates the innate physical properties of the substrate to the site-selectivities observed as a function of the catalyst. The catalyst systems can be used in combination with oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide to effect highly selective oxidations of unactivated sp3 C—H bonds over a broad range of substrates.