On homotopy associative mod 2 \(H\)-spaces (Q1210063)

Let \(A\) denote the mod 2 cohomology algebra of the exceptional Lie group \(G_ 2\). The main theorem says that if \(Y\) is a finite simply-connected \(CW\)-complex such that the mod 2 cohomology algebra of \(Y\) contains \(A^{\otimes\ell}\), and \(k\geq 2\ell+1\), then \(Y\times(S^ 7)^ k\) cannot be a homotopy associative \(H\)-space. This is best possible since, for \(k\leq 2\ell\), \(G^ \ell_ 2\times(S^ 7)^ k\) is 2-equivalent to a product of copies of the associative \(H\)-spaces \(G_ 2\), Spin(7), and Spin(8). The proof is based on methods of Lin and Williams. If \(Y\times(S^ 7)^ k\) were a homotopy associative \(H\)-space, then let \(B_ 3\) denote its projective 3-space, the third stage of a filtration of its classifying space. A contradiction is obtained in \(H^*B_ 3\) involving a secondary cohomology operation. Several spectral sequences are involved in this analysis.