On a conjecture by Herstein (Q1263656)

Let P be the set of positive integers. Let R be an arbitrary ring, with N(R), \(N_ r(R)\), and Z(R) denoting respectively the nil radical, the sum of all nil right ideals, and the center. For elements \(x_ 1,x_ 2,..\). of R define extended commutators \([x_ 1,x_ 2,...,x_{k+1}]\) by \([x_ 1,x_ 2]=x_ 1x_ 2-x_ 2x_ 1\) and \([x_ 1,...,x_{n+1}]=[[x_ 1,...,x_ n],x_{n+1}]\); and if \(x_ 1=x\) and \(x_ 2=x_ 3=...=x_{k+1}=y\), abbreviate the notation to \([x,y]_ k\). For \(k\geq 1\), define \(T_ k(R)\) as the set of \(x\in R\) such that for each \(y\in R\), there exists \(n=n(x,y)\in P\) for which \([x,y^ n]_ k=0\); call R a \(C_ k\)-ring if for each \(x,y\in R\), P contains \(m=m(x,y)\) and \(n=n(x,y)\) for which \([x^ m,y^ n]_ k=0\). Extend these definitions by letting k vary with x and y, thereby obtaining the set T(R) and the notion of C-ring. The hypercenter theorem of \textit{I. N. Herstein} [J. Algebra 36, 151-157 (1975; Zbl 0313.16036)] asserts that if \(N(R)=\{0\}\), then \(T_ 1(R)=Z(R)\); and a subsequent result of Herstein [J. Algebra 38, 112-118 (1976; Zbl 0323.16014)] is that every \(C_ 1\)-ring with \(N(R)=\{0\}\) is commutative. It has long been conjectured that the same conclusions hold for \(T_ k(R)\) and \(C_ k\)-rings, and various special cases have been established. The present paper proves the conjectures in general - specifically, that (1) for each \(k\in P\), if \(N(R)=\{0\}\), then \(T_ k(R)=Z(R)\); and (2) for arbitrary \(k\in P\), every \(C_ k\)-ring with \(N(R)=\{0\}\) is commutative. Also included are proofs of the following: (3) if \(N_ r(R)=\{0\}\), then \(T(R)=Z(R)\); (4) if R is a C-ring with \(N_ r(R)=\{0\}\), then R is commutative. It is natural to conjecture that every C-ring with \(N(R)=\{0\}\) is commutative, and the authors conclude with a proof of equivalence of this conjecture with two other conjectures. This is an important paper. It is carefully argued and, given the difficulty of the problem, surprisingly easy to read.