Maximal Abelian and minimal nonabelian subgroups of some finite two-generator \(p\)-groups especially metacyclic. (Q1955787)

Let \(\mathcal G_*\), \(\mathcal G_{**}\), \(\mathcal G_{***}\) denote the following classes of nonabelian finite \(p\)-groups \(G\), respectively: \(G\) is 2-generated, \(G'\) is of order \(p^2\), \(G\) has an Abelian maximal subgroup. The author provides intrinsic insight into the subgroup structure of \(\mathcal G_*\)-groups, heavily studied recently [in, for instance, \textit{Y. Berkovich} and \textit{Z. Janko}, Groups of prime power order. Vol. 3. de Gruyter Expositions in Mathematics 56. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter (2011; Zbl 1229.20001); and Ischia group theory 2004. Contemp. Math. 402. Isr. Math. Conf. Proc., 13-93 (2006; Zbl 1108.20013); and \textit{A. Mann}, in Contemp. Math. 524, 93-95 (2010; Zbl 1213.20015)], such as the following basic result: for a \(\mathcal G_*\cap\mathcal G_{**}\cap\mathcal G_{***}\)-group \(G\), the central factor is either nonabelian of order \(p^3\) and exponent \(p>2\) or isomorphic to \(D_8\); its factor by a central subgroup of order \(p\) is minimal nonabelian if the subgroup is in the derived subgroup, and there is such a central subgroup outside the derived subgroup with factor group possessing cyclic center. The author proves many more deep structure theorems concerning metacyclic \(\mathcal G_*\)-groups \(G\), for instance on \(\mathcal A_n\) subgroups for odd prime \(p\) and for \(p=2\) provided \(G\) has cyclic derived subgroup and has no section isomorphic to \(D_8\), and also proves that \(G\) has a composition series with all terms characteristic unless it is the quaternion group. Finally, 24 stimulating research problems are initiated.