Representation of skew-Hermitian elements in von Neumann algebras by skew commutators (Q5959537)

Representation of elements of a von Neumann algebra by (sums of) commutators is interesting for the investigation of the structure of von Neumann algebras. Recall that a commutator is an element of the form \([x,y]=xy-yx\). In this paper, the author proves that any skew-symmetric element of a real factor \(R\) is a commutator of two skew-symmetric elements of the enveloping von Neumann algebra \(N=R+iR\) [see \textit{Sh. A. Ayupov, A. A. Rakhimov} and \textit{Sh. M. Usmanov}, Jordan, real and Lie structures in operator algebras, Mathematics and its Applications, 418, Dordrecht, Kluwer (1997; Zbl 0908.17022)]. By a real factor we mean a real von Neumann algebra (i.e., a weakly closed real \(*\)-algebra \(R\) of bounded operators on a complex Hilbert space with \(R\cap iR=\{0\}\)) such that its center has dimension one.