The reaction of the methylidyne complex [W([triple bond, length as m-dash]CH)Br(CO)(dcpe)] (dcpe = 1,2-bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)ethane) with BuLi affords the intermediate anionic neopentylidyne complex Li[W([triple bond, length as m-dash]CBu)(CO)(dcpe)] which acts as a metal-based nucleophile towards BuCl,BuBr, PhE (E = S, Se, Te) and ClSnMe to afford the new carbyne complexes [W([triple bond, length as m-dash]CBu)(X)(CO)(dcpe)] (X = Cl, Br, EPh, SnMe).