Associative 2-algebras and nonabelian extensions of associative algebras.

In this paper, we study nonabelian extensions of associative algebras using associative 2-algebra homomorphisms. First we construct an associative 2-algebra using the bimultipliers of an associative algebra. Then we classify nonabelian extensions of associative algebras using associative 2-algebra homomorphisms. Finally we analyze the relation between nonabelian extensions of associative algebras and nonabelian extensions of the corresponding commutator Lie algebras. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]