Question

Caffeine (C8H10N4O2) is a stimulant found in coffees and teas. When dissolved in water, it can accept a proton from a water molecule. Write the chemical equation for this process and identify the Brønsted-Lowry acid and base

Answer 1

Answer:

See figure 1

Explanation:

If we want to find the acid and the Brønsted-Lowry base, we must remember the definition for each of these molecules:

-) Acid: hydrogen donor

-) Base: hydrogen acceptor

In the caffeine structure, we have several atoms of nitrogen. These nitrogen atoms have the ability to accept hydronium ions ($H^+$). Therefore the caffeine molecule will be the base since it can accept

If caffeine is the base, the water must be the acid. So, the water in this reaction donated a hydronium ion.

Thus, caffeine is the base and water the acid. (See figure 1)