Generation of certain matrix groups by three involutions, two of which commute (Q1372671)

Let \(R\) be a commutative ring with 1 and let \(E_n(R)\) for \(n\geq 3\) be the subgroup of \(\text{SL}_n(R)\) generated by \(I+xe_{ij}\), \(x\in R\), \(i\neq j\), where \(e_{ij}\) are the matrix units. The main result of the present paper is: Let \(R\) be a commutative ring generated by \(t_1,\dots,t_d\), where \(t_1\) is a unit of finite multiplicative order. Then for all \(n\geq 8+6d\) the group \(E_n(R)\) can be generated by three involutions, two of which commute. Subsequent results in this paper imply that most finite classical groups, including Chevalley groups of type \(B_n\), \(C_n\), and \(D_n\), are generated by three involutions, two of which commute.