Will hydrogen chloride dissolved in ethanol react with magnesium?

Magnesium will react with aqueous HCl to form magnesium chloride and hydrogen gas. Simple. But I've just read in my textbook that HCl in a solution of ethanol no reaction will take place. There is no explanation given.


I know HCl is soluble in both solutions, but I cannot figure out what accounts for the difference in reactivity with Mg. I suppose it must be due to waters ability to act as a Bronsted-Lowry base and form a hydronium ion, but I also can't see how this would be an effective intermediate in the reaction mechanism.
I am lost, and would appreciate any expertise in this area.


