A new tantalum-hydride supported on zirconium hydroxide [(triple bond SiO)(2)Zr(H)-O-Ta(H)(x)-(OSi triple bond)] (x = 1 or 3) was prepared using surface organometallic chemistry and its catalytic properties in the propane metathesis reaction were assessed showing improved activity and selectivities in comparison to the tantalum-hydride supported on silica.