Models for the Cohomology of Certain Polyhedral Products

For a commutative ring $\mathbf k$ with unit, we describe and study various differential graded $\mathbf k$-modules and $\mathbf k$-algebras which are models for the cohomology of polyhedral products $(\underline{CX},\underline X)^K$. Along the way, we prove that the integral cohomology $H^*((D^1, S^0)^K; \mathbb Z)$ of the real moment-angle complex is a Tor module, the one that does not come from a geometric setting. We also reveal that the apriori different cup product structures in $H^*((D^1, S^0)^K;\mathbb Z)$ and in $H^*((D^n, S^{n-1})^K; \mathbb Z)$ for $n\geq 2$ have the same origin. As an application, this work sets the stage for studying the based loop space of $(\underline{CX}, \underline X)^K$ in terms of the bar construction applied to the differential graded $\mathbb Z$-algebras $B(\mathcal C^*(\underline X; \mathbb Z), K)$ quasi-isomorphic to the singular cochain algebra $\mathcal C^*((\underline{CX},\underline X)^K;\mathbb Z)$.