A general procedure for surface modification of nano-alumina using N, N-dicyclohexyl-carbodiimide (DCC) mediated amidation is reported. Aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acids reacted smoothly with nano-alumina pretreated with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane in the presence of DCC, giving modified aluminas having organic surfaces. The grafted aluminas have been characterized qualitatively by FT-IR or 13C CPMAS NMR spectroscopy, and quantitatively by thermogravimetric analysis and elemental analysis. The procedure was applied to polyether dendrons bearing carboxyl groups at the focal points, giving successful grafting of dendrimers onto nano-alumina.