A short characterization of the octonions.

In this article, we prove that if R is a proper alternative ring whose additive group has no 3-torsion and whose non-zero commutators are not zero-divisors, then R has no zero-divisors. It follows from a theorem of Bruck and Kleinfeld that if, in addition, the characteristic of R is not 2, then the central quotient of R is an octonion division algebra over some field. We include other characterizations of octonion division algebras and we also deal with the case where (R , +) has 3-torsion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]