The invention relates to a method for removing an alkyl sulfonyl or aryl sulfonyl protecting group from a primary or secondary amine by contacting an alkyl sulfonamide or an aryl sulfonamide with a Stage 0 or Stage I alkali metal-silica gel material in the presence of a solid proton source under conditions sufficient to form the corresponding amine. The invention also relates to a method for removing an alkyl sulfonyl or aryl sulfonyl protecting group from a primary or secondary amine by a) reacting an alkyl sulfonamide or an aryl sulfonamide with a Stage 0 or Stage I alkali metal-silica gel material, and b) subsequently reacting the reaction product from step a) with an electrophile or a proton source. Preferred Stage 0 or Stage I alkali metal-silica gel materials include Na, K2Na, and Na2K.