Grafting of [W2(NMe2)6] onto dehydroxylated silica affords the well-defined surface species [(
Si–O)W2(NMe2)5], characterized by elemental analysis, and infrared, Raman and NMR spectroscopies, and the catalytic reactivity of this supported tungsten(III) d3–d3 dimer and of its alkoxide derivatives towards alkynes has been probed.