Extension group and the functor Ext in the variety \({\mathfrak N}_ c\) (Q2266126)

Let W be a variety of groups, B a group in W, \(\Delta\) the augmentation ideal in the integral group ring \({\mathbb{Z}}[B]\), A a module over \({\mathbb{Z}}[B]\). The set of (equivalence classes of) extensions of A by B which are in W forms a subgroup \(H^ 2_ W(B,A)\) in \(H^ 2(B,A)\). It is well known that \(H^ 2(B,A)\cong Ext_{{\mathbb{Z}}(B)}(\Delta,A)\). The author's aim is to find an analog of the latter formula for \(H^ 2_ W(B,A)\). Setting \({\mathbb{Z}}_{(c)}[B]={\mathbb{Z}}[B]/\Delta^ c\), \(\Delta_{(c)}=\Delta \otimes {\mathbb{Z}}_{(c)}[B]=\Delta /\Delta^{c+1}\) and choosing an arbitrary \({\mathbb{Z}}_{(c)}[B]\)-module A, he finds a natural isomorphism \(H^ 2_{{\mathfrak N}_ c}(B,A)\cong Ext_{{\mathbb{Z}}_{(c)}[B]}(\Delta_{(c)},A)\) as soon as either A is a torsion free abelian group or in the exact sequence \(1\to R\to F\to B\to 1\), F is free nilpotent of class c, and the group R/R' is torsion free. An essential point in the proof is using Lie algebras and their correspondence with nilpotent groups. In the general case the left hand side of the isomorphism should be replaced by a subgroup of \(H^ 2_ W(B,A)\), and the author indicates a condition under which this subgroup is of finite index.