An elementary approach to the model structure on DG-Lie algebras

Abstract: This paper contains an elementary proof of the existence of the classical model structure on the category of unbounded DG-Lie algebras over a field of characteristic zero, with an emphasis on the properties of free and semifree extensions, which are particularly nice cofibrations. The cobar construction of a locally conilpotent cocommutative coalgebra is shown to be an example of semifree DG-Lie algebra. We also give an example of a non-cofibrant DG-Lie algebra whose underlying graded Lie algebra is free; this cannot occur in the bounded above case, where DG-Lie algebras of this form are always cofibrant.