The adsorption of different alcohols ((CF3)3 COH, (CF3)2 CHOH, CF3 CH2 OH, CH3 OH) has been studied by gravimetry and infrared spectroscopy. Gravimetric results show that the irreversibly and reversibly adsorbed quantities increase with alcohols basicity. Infrared spectra of the irreversible species formed on alumina samples activated at 1120 K provide evidence for alcoholate species. Moreover additional species are present in the case of methanol and 2-propanol: they are coordinated to Lewis acid sites. The reversible species are mainly hydrogen bonded. Poisoning experiments with bases ((CH3)2 O and (CH3)3 CC ≡ N) lead us to conclude that the number of acid sites not involved in the irreversible adsorption of alcohols increases from (CH3)2 CHOH to (CF3)3 COH. Use of CD3 OCD2H shows that these unoccupied sites are strong Lewis acid ones. These results with those obtained from the coadsorption of two alcohols show the heterogeneity of alumina surface sites; basic O2− - weak Lewis acid Al3+ pair sites are involved in the adsorption of the different alcohols. Moreover the surface presents other sites such as O2+ — strong Lewis acid Al3+ pair sites or strong Lewis acid Al3+ sites which are also involved in the adsorption of alcohols with high pka.