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

Answer:

The answer to your question is    C₉H₁₁NO₂

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