On \(\mathcal F\)-abnormal maximal subgroups of finite groups. (Q2641554)

The author continues the study of the relationship between the Deskins index complex and the solvability of a finite group [J. Pure Appl. Algebra 144, No. 3, 297-302 (1999; Zbl 0944.20011)]. For a maximal subgroup \(M\) in a finite group \(G\), a subgroup \(C\nsubseteq M\) is a completion of \(M\) in \(G\) if \(G=\langle C,M\rangle\) and the product \(k(C)\) of the normal subgroups of \(G\) properly contained in \(C\) is contained in \(M\). The set \(I(M)\) of all completions for \(M\), the index complex, possesses maximal completions by a partial order through subgroup containment. For a saturated formation \(\mathfrak F\) that contains the supersolvable groups, denote by \(\mathcal M_c(G)\) the set of all \(\mathfrak F\)-abnormal maximal subgroups in \(G\) that have a composite index in \(G\). The focus of this article is on the index factor \(C/k(C)\) for \(M\in\mathcal M_c(G)\) and \(C\) a maximal completion to \(M\). The author proves that a group \(G\in\mathfrak F\) if and only if each \(\mathfrak F\)-abnormal maximal subgroup has prime index in \(G\) which infers that \(G\in\mathfrak F\) if and only if each maximal subgroup of composite index is \(\mathfrak F\)-normal. This suggests further examination of \(\mathcal M_c(G)\) and leads to \(G\in\mathfrak F\) if and only if for each \(M\in\mathcal M_c(G)\), \(M\) has a maximal completion \(C\) such that \(G=CM\) and \(C/k(C)\) has square-free order. However if \(G\) is \(S_4\)-free, this can be refined to \(G\in\mathfrak F\) if and only if each \(M\in\mathcal M_c(G)\) has a maximal completion \(C\) such that \(C/k(C)\) is cyclic. That ``\(S_4\)-free'' cannot be removed has been shown by \textit{Y.-Q. Zhao} [Commun. Algebra 24, No. 5, 1785-1791 (1996; Zbl 0849.20013)] and is contrary to a conjecture by Deskins that the result is valid without constraints on the group.