A solid phase peptide synthesis method is disclosed. The method includes the steps of deprotecting an amino group in its protected form that is protected with a protecting group containing a Michael acceptor site composed of an α,β-unsaturated sulfone in a solvent selected from the group consisting of water, alcohol, and mixtures of water and alcohol; washing the deprotected acid in a solvent selected from the group consisting of water, alcohol, and mixtures of water and alcohol; coupling the deprotected acid to a resin-based peptide or a resin-based amino acid in a solvent selected from the group consisting of water, alcohol, and mixtures of water and alcohol; and washing the coupled composition in a solvent selected from the group consisting of water, alcohol, and mixtures of water and alcohol.