A palladium first composition is disclosed, including a palladium salt and an unsaturated carboxylic acid, wherein the composition is substantially free of water, and wherein the first composition forms a second composition including stable palladium nanoparticles and a palladium unsaturated carboxylate. The composition permits the use of solution processing methods to form a palladium layer on a wide variety of substrates, including in a pattern to form circuitry or pathways for electronic devices.