On normal subgroups of capable groups (Q1079655)

A group \(G\) is called capable if it is the group of inner automorphisms of some group \(\Gamma\), that is if there exists a group \(\Gamma\) with \(\Gamma/Z(\Gamma)\cong G\). The study of capable groups was initiated by \textit{R. Baer} [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 44, 387-412 (1938; Zbl 0020.00803)] who determined all capable abelian groups. More recently \textit{F. R. Beyl}, \textit{U. Felgner}, and \textit{P. Schmid} [J. Algebra 61, 161-177 (1979; Zbl 0428.20028)] and \textit{F. R. Beyl} and \textit{J. Tappe} [Group extensions, representations, and the Schur multiplicator, Lect. Notes Math. 958 (1982; Zbl 0544.20001)] studied capable groups by focusing on a characteristic subgroup \(Z^*(G)\), called the precise center, which was proved to be the smallest central subgroup of \(G\) whose factor group is capable. They proved, among other things, that an extraspecial p-group is capable if and only if it is a dihedral group of order 8, or of order \(p^ 3\) with exponent \(p>2\). This paper initiates a study of the normal structure of finite capable groups, by showing that certain groups cannot be normal subgroups of capable groups. In particular it is proved that: Theorem. The generalized quaternion group of order \(2^ n\) (\(n>2\)), and the semidihedral group of order \(2^ n\) (\(n>3\)), cannot be normal subgroups of a finite capable group. Also, \(E\), the extraspecial group of order \(p^ 3\) with exponent \(p^ 2\) (\(p>2\)), cannot be a normal subgroup of a nilpotent capable group. An example is provided to show that \(E\) can be a normal subgroup of a general capable group. Actually more is proved than is stated above. It is shown that in the setting of the Theorem a central subgroup of the generalized quaternion group (semidihedral group or \(E\)) is actually inside the precise center of the bigger group \(G\). This proves \(G\) not capable, but also reduces the calculation of \(M(G)\), the Schur multiplier of \(G\), to that of a factor group.