Similarity for zero-square matrices

Abstract

Let T be an n by n zero-square matrix over a commutative unital ring R. We show that T is similar to a multiple of E_1n if R is a GCD domain and n = 2, if R is a GCD domain with 2 not zero divisor and n = 3, but there are matrices which are not similar to any multiple of E_1n whenever n greater or equal 4, over any commutative unital ring.