One mole of aspartame (C14H18N2O5) reacts with two moles of water to produce one mole of

aspartic acid (C4H7NO4), one mole of methanol (CH3OH) and one mole of phenylalanine.

a. What is the molecular formula of phenylalanine?

b. What mass of phenylalanine is produced from 378 g of aspartame?

a. Molecular formula of phenylalanine → C₉H₁₁NO₂

b. 234.2 g of C₉H₁₁NO₂

Explanation:

Let's think the reaction:

C₁₄H₁₈N₂O₅ + 2H₂O → CH₃OH + ‎C₉H₁₁NO₂ + C₄H₇NO₄

In order to work with this reaction, we assume that water is on excess.

Let's determine the moles of aspartame → molar mass = 294 g/mol

Moles = mass / molar mass → 378 g / 294 g/mol = 1.28 moles

As ratio is 1:1, 1 mol of aspartame can produce 1 mol of phenylalanine; therefore 1.28 moles of aspartame must produce 1.28 moles of phenylalanine.

Let's convert the moles to mass → molar mass C₉H₁₁NO₂ = 183 g/mol

Moles. molar mass = Mass → 1.28 mol. 183 g/mol = 234.2 g