The reactivity of an electronically unsaturated tantalum methylidene complex [TolC(NSiMe3)2]2Ta(CH2)CH3 (1) supported by [TolC(NSiMe3)2] amidinate ligands is described. Electrophilic addition and olefination reactions of the TaCH2 functionality are reported. Alkylidene 1 participates in group-transfer reactions not observed in sterically similar, but electronically saturated, analogues. Reactions with substrates containing unsaturated C–X (X = C, N, O) bonds yield [Ta]X compounds and vinylated organic products; carbon–sulfur cleavage reactions to produce tantalum thioformaldehyde and tantalum sulfido complexes.