On cat\(^ n\)-groups and homotopy types (Q2366062)

This paper is concerned with the problem of characterizing the homotopy type of a CW-complex. It is well known that a group-theoretic classification of connected CW-complexes, up to their homotopy 2-type, was given by \textit{S. Mac Lane} and \textit{J. H. C. Whitehead} [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 36, 41-48 (1950; Zbl 0035.390)]. This result was extended by \textit{J.-L. Loday} [J. Pure Appl. Algebra 24, 179-202 (1982; Zbl 0491.55004)] to give algebraic models (called \(\text{cat}^ n\)-groups) for all \((n+1)\)-types. The purpose of the authors is to give an alternative and group-theoretic proof of the Loday classification theorem for truncated homotopy types. Moreover, the authors describe an effective method to construct the homotopy \(\text{cat}^ n\)-groups associated to a connected pointed TOP space.