Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) constructed by chemisorption of bifunctional organic compounds (HS-(CH2)n-FG) impart functionality to the underlying nanostructures (such as gold nanoparticles). Gold nanoparticles bearing various organic functional groups synthesized by the wet chemical synthesis technique are reported where organic functional groups are present in the monolayers which were used to carry out different organic reactions. A growing interest in this field of research is observed after recognizing the potential applications of these functional metal–organic nanohybrids (or functional MPCs) of gold in various fields such as covalent immobilization, detection systems and sensors. Considering their stability and reactivity these materials represent the next generation of hybrid reactive organic compounds.