[OldThrashbarg]

To purify a reaction mixture, I need to use basic alumina, however I only have access to neutral alumina (I'm at a liberal arts college so all the groups are pretty small and don't have lots of cash).  Is it possible to convert neutral alumina to basic alumina?  Is it just as simple as washing the neutral alumina in a strong base?

[Rabn]

I think you would be hard pressed to convert it to basic alumina. What you need to do to convert it to basic alumina is reduce the aluminum atoms from +3 to +2. I would suggest looking at an Electrochemical activity chart.  It may help you find a reducing agent that you have. The problem is that if the reducung agent is too powerful you end up losing an oxygen as water. That's all I have for you at the moment.