Groups admitting a \(4\)-splitting automorphism (Q1916321)

Let \(G\) be a group. An automorphism \(\alpha\) of \(G\) is said to be 4-splitting if \(gg^\alpha g^{\alpha^2} g^{\alpha^3}=1\) for every \(g\in G\). The author proves that if \(G\) is a soluble non-trivial group with derived length \(d\) admitting a 4-splitting automorphism, then \(G'\) is nilpotent of class at most \((4^d-1)/3\). This theorem generalizes previous results of \textit{S. Tobin} about groups of exponent 4 [Groups, St. Andrews 1981, Lond. Math. Soc. Lect. Note Ser. 71, 81-136 (1982; Zbl 0511.20031)].