Neotame

IUPAC Name: (3S)-3-(3,3-Dimethylbutylamino)-4-[[(2S)-1-methoxy-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl]amino]-4-oxobutanoic acid 
Molecular Formula: C₂₀H₃₀N₂O₅
Molecular Weight: 378.46 g/mol
Refraction indexis of Neotame (165450-17-9): 1.521
Surface Tension: 43.6 dyne/cm
Density: 1.133 g/cm³
Flash Point:  295.7 °C
Enthalpy of Vaporization: 89.33  kJ/mol
Boiling Point: 565.3 °C at 760 mmHg
Vapour Pressure: 1.29E-13 mmHg at 25 °C
The molecular structure of Neotame (165450-17-9):
      

 Neotame (165450-17-9) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for general use in July 2002, but is not yet widely used in food products. Neotame also is approved for use in Australia and New Zealand. Neotame is assigned the International Numbering System (INS) food additive code 961.

The chemical synonyms of  Neotame (165450-17-9) are Neotame (200 MG) ; Neotame ; N-(N-(3,3-Dimethylbutyl)-L-alpha-aspartyl)-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester ; L-phenylalanine, N-[N-(3,3-Dimethylbutyl)-L-.ALPHA.-ASPARTYL]-, 1-methyl ester ; and N-[N-(3,3-Dimethylbutyl)-L--aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester .
 Neotame (165450-17-9) is an artificial sweetener made by NutraSweet that is between 7,000 and 13,000 times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar). In the European Union it is known by the E number E961. Neotame (165450-17-9) is moderately heat stable and extremely potent. Neotame is rapidly metabolized, completely eliminated, and does not accumulate in the body.
The major metabolic pathway is hydrolysis of the methyl ester by esterases that are present throughout the body, which yields de-esterified neotame and methanol. Because only trace amounts of neotame are needed to sweeten foods, the amount of methanol derived from neotame is much lower than that found in common foods, such as fruit and vegetable juices.
The product is attractive to food manufacturers as its use greatly lowers the cost of production compared to using sugar or high fructose corn syrup (due to the lower quantities needed to achieve the same sweetening) while also benefitting the consumer by providing fewer "empty" sugar calories and a lower impact on blood sugar.
It is chemically similar to the artificial sweetener aspartame, but it is used at vastly lower levels and is more stable. Chemically, it has a 3,3-dimethylbutyl group attached to the amino group of the aspartic acid portion of the molecule. Peptidases, which would typically break the peptide bond between the aspartic acid and phenylalanine moieties, are effectively blocked by the presence of the 3,3-dimethylbutyl moiety, thus reducing the production of phenylalanine, thereby making its consumption by those who suffer from phenylketonuria safe.