On the prime graph question for integral group rings of 4-primary groups I

Abstract

We study the Prime Graph Question for integral group rings. This question can be reduced to almost simple groups by a result of Kimmerle and Konovalov. We prove that the Prime Graph Question has an affirmative answer for all almost simple groups having a socle isomorphic to [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text], establishing the Prime Graph Question for all groups where the only non-abelian composition factors are of the aforementioned form. Using this, we determine exactly how far the so-called HeLP method can take us for (almost simple) groups having an order divisible by at most four different primes.