# Lie algebra with cyclic structure constants

Given a Lie algebra (finite-dimensional, over a field) and a basis, denote the structure constants in the usual way: $[e_i,e_j]=\sum_kc_{ij}^ke_k$. We say that the structure constants are cyclic if $c_{ij}^k=c_{jk}^i$ for all $i,j,k$ (note that this depends on the choice of basis).

The Lie algebra being given, the existence of a basis with cyclic structure constant is a nontrivial condition as it can easily be checked not to exist in a non-abelian 2-dimensional Lie algebra.

Which Lie algebras admit a basis with cyclic structure constants?

• Why does $c^k_{ij} = c^i_{jk}$ define the semisimples? In $\mathfrak{sl}_2$, the bracket $\left[e,f\right]$ has a nonzero $h$-coordinate, but the bracket $\left[h,e\right]$ has no nonzero $f$-coordinate. Are you using a weirder basis? – darij grinberg Oct 12 '16 at 20:55
• Typo. Sorry. Corrected. – Hauke Reddmann Oct 14 '16 at 18:25
• Endow your Lie algebra with the symmetric bilinear form making $\{e_i\}$ an orthornormal basis (the Gram matrix is the identity matrix). Since $c_{ij}^k=([e_i,e_j],e_k)$, what you call "cyclicity" is equivalent to the invariance of the form. – Victor Protsak Oct 14 '16 at 20:55
• I rewrote the question hoping that it will it be reopened so that Victor's answer can be posted. – YCor Oct 15 '16 at 5:20
• @Protsak: does it mean that every semi-simple Lie algebra over char zero field has cyclic structure constants? (Because the Killing form is symmetric and non-degenerate) – Venkataramana Oct 15 '16 at 8:35

Endow your algebra with the symmetric bilinear form making $\{e_i\}$ an orthornormal basis (the Gram matrix is the identity matrix). Since $c_{ij}^k=([e_i,e_j],e_k)$, the cyclicity condition is equivalent to the invariance of the form: $$([e_i,e_j],e_k)=(e_i,[e_j,e_k]).$$ Thus a finite-dimensional Lie algebra admits a basis with cyclic structure constants if and only if it admits an invariant symmetric bilinear form with Gram matrix the identity matrix. If the base field is algebraically closed not of characteristic 2, the latter condition simplifies to "admits a nondegenerate invariant symmetric bilinear form".