Tantalum is a refractory transition metal known for its high melting point and chemical inertness, which limits its use in homogeneous catalysis but makes it valuable in specialized heterogeneous catalysis and materials chemistry. Organotantalum complexes have been studied in olefin polymerization, where tantalum acts as a catalyst or co-catalyst. Its ability to form strong metal–carbon bonds enables selective transformations in carbene and alkylidene chemistry. Tantalum oxides are used as catalysts and supports in industrial processes, including dehydration and alkylation reactions. The metal’s robust nature under harsh conditions is exploited in catalysis for biomass conversion and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Though not as common as other transition metals in synthetic organic chemistry, tantalum’s unique properties continue to be explored in catalytic materials science.