The selective transformation of ubiquitous but inert C H bonds to other functional groups has far-reaching practical implications, ranging from more efficient strategies for fine chemical synthesis to the replacement of current petrochemical feedstocks by less expensive and more readily available alkanes. The past twenty years have seen many examples of C-H bond activation at transition-metal centres, often under remarkably mild conditions and with high selectivity. Although profitable practical applications have not yet been developed, our understanding of how these organometallic reactions occur, and what their inherent advantages and limitations for practical alkane conversion are, has progressed considerably. In fact, the recent development of promising catalytic systems highlights the potential of organometallic chemistry for useful C-H bond activation strategies that will ultimately allow us to exploit Earth's alkane resources more efficiently and cleanly.