Pouring the product on ice has two effects: Firstly, this reduces the temperature of the mixture. Reducing the temperature of any solution will reduce the solubility of dissolved solutes (such as the product). Secondly, the ice will slightly dissolve at room temperature, increasing the amount of water in your product solution. Methyl m-nitrobenzoate is not soluble in water (which is why you did the reaction in glacial acid instead of dilute water solutions), so this will aid in its precipitation out of solution. Solution Pouring the product on ice has two effects: Firstly, this reduces the temperature of the mixture. Reducing the temperature of any solution will reduce the solubility of dissolved solutes (such as the product). Secondly, the ice will slightly dissolve at room temperature, increasing the amount of water in your product solution. Methyl m-nitrobenzoate is not soluble in water (which is why you did the reaction in glacial acid instead of dilute water solutions), so this will aid in its precipitation out of solution..