Abstract: Alumina as a porous material，is generally used as catalyst supports，catalysts，adsorbents and ceramic materials because of its good porous structure，high chemical and thermal stability. As the development of material science，nanoscale alumina with special morphologies has been synthesized. Comparing with conventional alumina，nanoscale alumina displayed excellent behavior in adsorption and catalysis owing to their unique porosity and surface property. This review summarizes the hydrothermal and solvothermal synthesis of nanoscale alumina and its precursor-boehmite. The formation mechanism and catalytic applications of nanoscale boehmite with different morphologies are discussed. Finally，development tread for synthetic techniques and applications of nanoscale boehmite is proposed.