Determinant-twist projection in odd dimension ($\pi (A)=(\det A)A$)

For real orthogonal matrices in odd dimension $d$, multiplying by their determinant defines a group homomorphism from $O(d)$ onto $SO(d)$. Scalar factors commute, so $\pi (AB)=\pi (A)\pi (B)$, while $\det \pi (A)=(\det A{)}^{d+1}=1$. The map fixes $SO(d)$ and has kernel $\{I,-I\}$. Since $-I$ is central and has determinant $-1$ in odd dimension, $O(d)\cong SO(d)\times C_2$. In even dimension the same expression does not map every orthogonal matrix into the special orthogonal group.