E-infinity structures over L-algebras

Abstract

In this paper we introduce the concept of L-algebras, which can be seen as a generalization of the structure determined by the Eilenberg-Mac lane transformation and Alexander-Whitney diagonal in chain complexes. In this sense, our main result states that L-algebras are endowed with an E-infinity coalgebra struture, like the one determined by the Barrat-Eccles operad in chain complexes. This results implies that the canonical L-algebra of spaces contains as much homotopy information as its usually associated E-infinity coalgebras, suggesting L-algebras as a tool for the study of homotopy types.