Why is CrCl3 acidic? I know it has a very high charge density because it's a transition metal ion and can therefore polarize neighboring water molecules, leading to hydrolysis and H+ formation. However, I'm a little confused, how did this happen? Is the water molecule that it polarizes the water molecule that it's coordinating with, or is it any water molecule? And, because of its high charge density, it should attract the electrons of the water molecules. But does that mean it's attracting the two electrons that form the oxygen and hydrogen bonds?