On the Shirshov--Cohn theorem for JB-algebras

Abstract: It is shown that a JB-algebra which can be generated by the union of two of its associative Jordan subalgebras is a JC-algebra, hence special. A similar refinement of Macdonald's principle for JB-algebras is obtained. Moreover, we prove that the free unital JB-algebra generated by $n$ projections is a JC-algebra if and only if $n\in {1,2,3}$. Finally, we give an explicit description of the free unital JB-algebra generated by two projections paralleling the Raeburn-Sinclair theorem for C*-algebras.