Thiolate (SR)‐protected gold nanoclusters (Aun(SR)m NCs) are a rare type of material capable of simultaneously exhibiting multiple physicochemical properties well‐suited to specific applications, including photoluminescence, thermocatalysis, electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, magnetism, and optical activity. Over the past several decades, there has been tremendous progress in our understanding of the structure and physicochemical properties of Aun(SR)m NCs, resulting in the ability to fine‐tune the characteristics of these materials. It is therefore helpful to examine the extent to which the properties of Aun(SR)m and related metal NCs can now be adjusted based on design. This review presents representative examples of previous studies concerning the geometry, electronic structure, luminescence properties, catalysis, magnetism and optical activity of Aun(SR)m and related metal NCs and discusses the current status of the designability of these NCs to impart specific structural and physicochemical characteristics. This information is expected to accelerate the fabrication of highly functional materials based on Aun(SR)m and related metal NCs.

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Negishi et al. summarized representative examples of previous studies concerning the geometry, electronic structure, luminescence properties, catalysis, magnetism and optical activity of thiolate‐protected gold nanoclusters, and discusses the current status of the designability of those nanoclusters to impart specific structural and physicochemical characteristics. This information is expected to accelerate the fabrication of highly functional materials based on metal nanoclusters (e255).