On the weak amenability of \(\mathcal A(X)\) and its relation with the approximation property. (Q1410552)

Let \(X\) be an infinite-dimensional Banach space. Denote by \(\mathcal{B}(X)\) the Banach algebra of all bounded linear operators on \(X\). Let \(\mathcal {F}(X)\) and \(\mathcal {A}(X)\) be its subalgebras of finite-rank operators and approximable operators (meaning that \(\mathcal{A}(X)\) is the closure of \(\mathcal F(X)\) in \(\mathcal{B}(X)\)), respectively. One of the main theorems essentially asserts that \(\mathcal{A}(X)\) is weakly amenable if and only if, whenever \(T\in\mathcal {B}(X^\ast)\) satisfies \[ | \text{trace}(T(RS-SR)^\ast)| \leq a\| R\| \,\| S\| , \] for some constant \(a\) and for all \(R,S\in\mathcal {F}(X)\), then there exist \(\lambda\in\mathbb{C}\) and a constant \(b\) such that \(| \text{trace}((T-\lambda)W^\ast)| \leq b\| W\| \), for all \(W\in \mathcal {F}(X)\), or, equivalently, then there exists a constant \(c\) such that \(| \text{trace}(TW^\ast)| \leq c\| W\| \), for all \(W\in\mathcal{F}(X)\) with \(\text{trace}W=0\). Relying on this theorem, the weak amenability of \(\mathcal {A}(X)\) is thoroughly investigated with an emphasis on cases when \(X\) can be written as a direct sum of Banach spaces. In particular, it is proven that \(\mathcal{A} (X_1\oplus X_2)\) is weakly amenable whenever both \(\mathcal{A}(X_1)\) and \(\mathcal{A}(X_2)\) are, and, moreover, \(X^\ast_1\) or \(X^\ast_2\) or \(X_1\oplus X_2\) has the bounded approximation property. As an application, many examples of situations are presented when \(\mathcal{A}(X)\) is weakly amenable or it is not. Examples use famous results and examples due to Pisier, Tomczak-Jaegermann, Grothendieck, Figiel, and Casazza, Kottman and Lin. One general conclusion is that the (bounded) approximation property is neither necessary nor sufficient for the weak amenability of \(\mathcal{A}(X)\).