Different anchoring groups have been studied with the aim of covalently binding organic linkers to the surface of alumina ceramic foams. The results suggested that a higher degree of functionalization was achieved with a pyrogallol derivative--as compared to its catechol analogue--based on the XPS analysis of the ceramic surface. The conjugation of organic ligands to the surface of these alumina materials was corroborated by DNP-MAS NMR measurements.