Five-point zero-divisor graphs determined by equivalence classes (Q656012)

For a commutative ring \(R\) with nonzero identity, let \(R_E\) be the set of equivalence classes for the equivalence relation on \(R\) given by \(x \sim y\) if and only if ann\(_R(x) =\) ann\(_R(y)\). Then \(R_E\) is a commutative monoid with multiplication \([x][y] = [xy]\) and zero element \([0]\). The condensed zero-divisor graph of \(R\), denoted by \(\Gamma_E(R)\), is the simple graph with vertices the set of nonzero zero-divisors of \(R_E\) (i.e., \(R_E \setminus \{[0],[1] \}\)) and two distinct vertices \([x]\) and \([y]\) are adjacent if and only if \([x][y] = [0]\). This graph was introduced by \textit{S. B. Mulay} in [Commun. Algebra 30, No. 7, 3533--3558 (2002; Zbl 1087.13500)], where he observed that \(\Gamma_E(R)\) is connected. In this paper, the authors determine precisely which simple graphs on five vertices can be realized as \(\Gamma_E(R)\). There are thirty-four simple graphs on five vertices, and twenty-one of these graphs are connected. Of these twenty-one graphs, only four can be realized as \(\Gamma_E(R)\) for a commutative Noetherian ring \(R\) with nonzero identity.