The invention provides novel manganese catalysts such as [Mn(tBuPc)], which are general for the amination of all types of C(sp3)-H bonds (aliphatic, allylic, propargylic, benzylic, ethereal), including strong 1o aliphatic C—H bonds, while achieving excellent chemoselectivity, stereospecificity, and high functional group tolerance. We demonstrate the late-stage diversification of bioactive complex molecules that encompass the range of C(sp3)-H bond types, such as selective 1o C—H aminations of betulinic acid and pleuromutilin derivatives. The catalysts' unprecedented balance of reactivity and selectivity is in part attributed to its mechanism of C—H amination that lies between stepwise and concerted.