Given a C*-algebra $\A$, an irredundant set in $\A$ is a subset $\mathcal$ of $\A$ such that no $a\in \mathcal$ belongs to the C*-subalgebra generated by $\mathcal\setminus\{a\}$. Every separable C*-algebra has only countable irredundant sets and we ask if every nonseparable C*-algebra has an uncountable irredundant set. For commutative C*-algebras, if $K$ is the Kunen line then $C(K)$ is a consistent example of a nonseparable commutative C*-algebra without uncountable irredundant sets. On the other hand, a result due to S. Todorcevic establishes that it is consistent with ZFC that every nonseparable C*-algebra of the form $C(K)$, for a compact 0-dimensional space $K$, has an uncountable irredundant set. By the method of forcing, we construct a nonseparable and noncommutative scattered C*-algebra $\A$ without uncountable irredundant sets and with no nonseparable abelian subalgebras. On the other hand, we prove that it is consistent that every C*-subalgebra of $\B(\ell_2)$ of density continuum has an irredundant set of size continuum.

Given a C*-algebra $\A$, an irredundant set in $\A$ is a subset $\mathcal$ of $\A$ such that no $a\in \mathcal$ belongs to the C*-subalgebra generated by $\mathcal\setminus\{a\}$. Every separable C*-algebra has only countable irredundant sets and we ask if every nonseparable C*-algebra has an uncountable irredundant set. For commutative C*-algebras, if $K$ is the Kunen line then $C(K)$ is a consistent example of a nonseparable commutative C*-algebra without uncountable irredundant sets. On the other hand, a result due to S. Todorcevic establishes that it is consistent with ZFC that every nonseparable C*-algebra of the form $C(K)$, for a compact 0-dimensional space $K$, has an uncountable irredundant set. By the method of forcing, we construct a nonseparable and noncommutative scattered C*-algebra $\A$ without uncountable irredundant sets and with no nonseparable abelian subalgebras. On the other hand, we prove that it is consistent that every C*-subalgebra of $\B(\ell_2)$ of density continuum has an irredundant set of size continuum.