Would you predict trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, CF3SO3H, to be a stronger or weaker acid than methanesulfonic acid, CH3SO3H? Explain your reasoning.

Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid is a stronger acid. Compare the strengths of the conjugate bases and remember that the weaker the base, the stronger the conjugate acid. In the case of the trifluoro derivative, the presence of the highly electronegative fluorine atoms serves to delocalize the negative charge to a greater extent. This additional delocalization makes trifluoromethanesulfonate anion a weaker base. Also the electron withdrawing effect of the CF3 allows the proton to be more easily pulled off of the CF3SO3H molecule.