The documentary Picture a Scientist was adapted into a discussion-based laboratory assignment for organic chemistry students in an effort to open conversations about racism and gender-based harassment in STEM. The viewing of the documentary was scaffolded to prepare students to have a meaningful experience and to help manage and support distress from the viewing, if any. Students had different avenues to process their reflections after viewing the documentary, individually and in a group. The stories of the three scientists remind viewers that the lack of diversity, equity, and inclusion has a negative impact on not only their work but also science in general. The students' discussions and reflections underscore the importance of incorporating environmental and social injustice issues into traditional chemistry curriculum and highlight the fundamental work members of the STEM community must engage in moving forward.

A new family of stabilized benzylic nucleophiles for the palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative allylic alkylation reaction has been developed. Allyl esters derived from 3-carboxyphthalides were found to undergo palladium-catalyzed deallylation and decarboxylation under mild reaction conditions, a process facilitated by the formation of a stabilized aromatic anion. The regioselective allylic coupling of this intermediate afforded a variety of functionalized phthalides in 73−96% yields.