Final answer:
Benzyl chloride might not react with AgNO3 in ethanol as expected due to its stability; however, if a white precipitate is formed, it could be silver chloride (AgCl), which can be further tested with nitric acid.
Step-by-step explanation:
When benzyl chloride reacts with AgNO3 in ethanol, you would expect a precipitate to form if there are chloride ions to react with. AgNO3 is commonly used to test for halide ions; it forms a white precipitate with chlorides, a cream-colored precipitate with bromides, and a yellow precipitate with iodides. However, benzyl chloride typically does not react with AgNO3 in ethanol in the way an alkyl halide would because the benzyl chloride is less reactive due to the resonance stabilization of the benzyl cation that would be formed if the chloride ion left.
If we do get a reaction leading to a precipitate of silver chloride, it would appear white. Nevertheless, in some cases, the reaction might not occur at all due to the stability of benzyl chloride in these conditions. To confirm if the white precipitate is silver chloride (AgCl), concentrated nitric acid can be used. If the precipitate remains unchanged, then it is likely silver chloride. Yet, if carbon dioxide is formed and the precipitate disappears, the salt is not a chloride but rather a carbonate.