A Lie algebra with a single defining relation need not be residually finite (Q1311114)

Assume \(L\) is a Lie algebra over a field \(K\). The main theorem in the note under review states that if char \(K=0\) and \(L\) is residually finite (i.e. the intersection of all ideals of finite codimensions in \(L\) equals 0) then there do not exist nonzero elements \(a,b,x\) in \(L\) such that \(ax=a\) and \(bx=b\). As consequences of this theorem the following descriptions of a Lie algebra \(L\) in two generators \(x,y\) such that \((xy)x=xy+x\) are obtained. (1) \(L\) is residually finite if and only if char \(K \neq 0\). (2) If \(L\) belongs to the variety of all 3-solvable Lie algebras then \(L\) is residually finite if and only if char \(K \neq 0\). These facts yield that one cannot use residual finiteness in the case char \(K \neq 0\) in order to investigate the word problem in Lie algebras with one defining identity. (For the case char \(K=0\) residual finiteness plays an essential role, see, e.g. [\textit{A. I. Shirshov}, Sib. Math. Zh. 3, No. 2, 292-296 (1962; Zbl 0104.260) and \textit{V. Talapov}, Sib. Mat. Zh. 22, No. 4, 176-181 (1981; Zbl 0477.17005)]).