Electron Withdrawing Atoms [ENDORSED]

[SarahOMalley1D]

Hi! Could someone explain to me how electron-withdrawing atoms cause a compound to be more acidic? I know that they stabilize the conjugate bases of acids by withdrawing electron density from the conjugate base's negatively charged atom(s). Does this action count as delocalizing a negative charge? Also, do electron-withdrawing atoms do anything to make it easier for a compound to lose its H atom?

[Chem_Mod]

It seems like you are on the right track! Electronegative electron withdrawing groups increase the acidity of the compound through inductive electron withdrawing effects. What this means is that the negative charges can be delocalized increase the stability and how acidic the compound is. In terms of making it easier to lose an H, the stronger the acid is, the easier it is to donate (or lose) a proton. So the electron withdrawing atoms make the acid stronger, which allows it to donate a proton easier.