Compound has the percent composition 47.40% Pd, 28.50% O, 21.40% C, and 2.69% H. Based on this information, which molecular formulas could represent the compound? PdO2C2H3 Pd (O2CCH3) 2 Pd (O2C2H3) 3 PdO4C2H9 Pd2C8H12O8

The composition of the various elements are:

Pd = 47.40% = 47.40 g

O = 28.50 % = 28.5 g

C = 21.40 % = 21.40 g

H = 2.69 % = 2.69 g

Atomic mass of Pd = 106 g/mol

Atomic mass of O = 16 g/mol

Atomic mass of C = 12 g/mol

Atomic mass of H = 1 g/mol

# moles of Pd = 47.40 g/106 gmol-1 = 0.4472 moles

# moles of O = 28.5/16 = 1.781

# moles of C = 21.40/12 = 1.783

# moles of H = 2.69/1 = 2.69

Divide by the smallest # moles

Pd = 0.4472/0.4472 = 1

O = 1.781/0.4472 = 3.98 = 4

C = 1.783/0.4472 = 3.98 = 4

H = 2.69/0.4472 = 6

Empirical formula = Pd (O2C2H3) 2

therefore, the probable molecular formula is Pd (O2C2H3) 2