The Lie structure of a commutative ring with a derivation (Q1065131)

This very clearly written paper is concerned with a sequence of Lie rings \(\{R_ n\}\) (n\(\geq 0)\) defined in the following way. Given a non-zero derivation d of a commutative ring R with identity, \(R_ 0\) is the Lie ring whose underlying set is R, and whose product is given by \([a,b]=ad(b)-d(a)b\), for all a,b\(\in R\). The sequence \(R_ 0\supseteq R_ 1\supseteq..\). then consists of the Lie subrings of \(R_ 0\) defined by \(R_{n+1}=[R_ n,R_ 0]\) for all \(n\geq 0\). Let A be a non-zero Lie ideal of \(R_ 0\) and assume that R is 2-torsion free. In two papers [J. Lond. Math. Soc., II. Ser. 17, 33-41 (1978; Zbl 0387.16016); ibid. 18, 39-49 (1978; Zbl 0406.16022)] \textit{C. R. Jordan} and \textit{D. A. Jordan} proved the following theorems: (1) If R is prime and \(A=R_ 0\) or \(R_ 1\), then A is a prime Lie ring. (2) If R is noetherian d-prime and \(A=R_ 0\) or \(R_ 1\), then A is a prime Lie ring. (3) If R is noetherian d-prime and \(A=R_ 0\) or \(R_ 1\) then every non-zero Lie ideal of A contains a non-zero d-ideal of R. (4) If R is noetherian then \(R_ 0\) is simple if and only if R is d-simple. The main results of the present paper are that (1)-(3) remain true when \(A=R_ n\), for every \(n\geq 0\), and that (4) also holds for non- noetherian rings. If in addition 6 is not a zero-divisor in R then (1)- (3) remain true for every Lie ideal A of \(R_ 0\). (These results are obtained from more general results in the paper which are of interest in themselves.)