The strong C−H bond activation of hydrocarbons is a difficult reaction in environmental and biological chemistry. Herein, a high-valent manganese(IV)-hydroxo complex, [Mn IV (CHDAP-O)(OH)] 2+ (2), was synthesized and characterized by various physicochemical measurements, such as ultraviolet−visible (UV−vis), electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and helium-tagging infrared photodissociation (IRPD) methods. The one-electron reduction potential (E red ) of 2 was determined to be 0.93 V vs SCE by redox titration. 2 is formed via a transient green species assigned to a manganese(IV)-bis(hydroxo) complex, [Mn IV (CHDAP)(OH) 2 ] 2+ (2′), which performs intramolecular aliphatic C−H bond activation. The kinetic isotope effect (KIE) value of 4.8 in the intramolecular oxidation was observed, which indicates that the C−H bond activation occurs via rate-determining hydrogen atom abstraction. Further, complex 2 can activate the C−H bonds of aromatic compounds, anthracene and its derivatives, under mild conditions. The KIE value of 1.0 was obtained in the oxidation of anthracene. The rate constant (k et ) of electron transfer (ET) from N,N′-dimethylaniline derivatives to 2 is fitted by Marcus theory of electron transfer to afford the reorganization energy of ET (λ = 1.59 eV). The driving force dependence of log k et for oxidation of anthracene derivatives by 2 is well evaluated by Marcus theory of electron transfer. Detailed kinetic studies, including the KIE value and Marcus theory of outer-sphere electron transfer, imply that the mechanism of aromatic C−H bond hydroxylation by 2 proceeds via the rate-determining electron-transfer pathway.