Combinatorial groups together with the groups of natural coalgebra
transformations of tensor algebras are linked to the groups of homotopy classes
of maps from the James construction to a loop space. This connection gives rise
to applications to homotopy theory. The Hopf invariants of the Whitehead
products are studied and a rate of exponent growth for the strong version of
the Barratt Conjecture is given.Comment: This is the version published by Algebraic & Geometric Topology on 29
November 200