A complex for right-angled Coxeter groups

Abstract

We associate to each right-angled Coxeter group a 2-dimensional complex. Using this complex, we show that if the presentation graph of the group is planar, then the group has a subgroup of finite index which is a 3-manifold group (that is, the group is virtually a 3-manifold group). We also give an example of a right-angled Coxeter group which is not virtually a 3-manifold group.