Question

Aspartame (molecular formula C14H18N2O5) is a sugar sub- stitute in soft drinks. Under certain conditions, 1 mol of aspartame reacts with 2 mol of water to give 1 mol of aspar- tic acid (molecular formula C4H7NO4), 1 mol of methanol (molecular formula CH3OH), and 1 mol of phenylalanine. Determine the molecular formula of phenylalanine.

Answer 1

The answer to your question is C₉H₁₁NO₂

Step-by-step explanation:

Data

Aspartame C₁₄H₁₈N₂O₅

Water H₂O

Aspartic acid C₄H₇NO₄

Methanol CH₃OH

Phenylalanine X

Reaction

C₁₄H₁₈N₂O₅ + 2 H₂O ⇒ C₄H₇NO₄ + CH₃OH + Phenylalanine

Process

1.- Calculate the number of atoms of each elements in the reactants and in the products

C₁₄H₁₈N₂O₅ + 2 H₂O ⇒ C₄H₇NO₄ + CH₃OH + Phenylalanine

Element Reactants Products

Hydrogen 22 11 + x

Carbon 14 5 + y

Nitrogen 2 1 + z

Oxygen 7 5 + m

2.- Calculate the composition of Phenylalanine

Hydrogen = 22 - 11 = 11

Carbon = 14 - 5 = 9

Nitrogen = 2 - 1 = 1

Oxygen = 7 - 5 = 2

3.- Write the molecular formula

C₉H₁₁NO₂