Explicit polynomial generators for the ring of quasisymmetric functions over the integers. (Q966459)

In [\textit{M. Hazewinkel} in Adv. Math. 164, No. 2, 283--300 (2001; Zbl 0991.05102) and `The primitives of the Hopf algebra of noncommutative symmetric functions over the integers CWI preprint (2001)] it has been proved that the ring of quasisymmetric functions over the integers is free polynomial. This is a matter that has been of great interest since 1972; for instance because of the role this statement plays in a classification theory for noncommutative formal groups that has been in development since then, [see \textit{E. J. Ditters} in Invent. Math. 17, 1--20 (1972; Zbl 0253.22010), and \textit{A. C. J. Scholtens}' Thesis, \(S\)-typical curves in non-commutative Hopf algebras. Thesis, Free Univ. of Amsterdam (1996) and the references in the latter]. Meanwhile quasisymmetric functions have found many more applications [see \textit{I. M. Gelfand, D. Krob, A. Lascoux, B. Leclerc, V. S. Retakh} and \textit{J.-Y. Thibon}, Adv. Math. 112, No. 2, 218--348 (1995; Zbl 0831.05063)]. However, the proofs of the author in the aforementioned papers do not give explicit polynomial generators for QSymm over the integers. In this note I give a (really quite simple) set of polynomial generators for QSymm over the integers.