The observed branching ratios for $\overrightarrow{B}K{\eta }^{\prime }$ decays are much larger than factorization predictions in the standard model (SM). Many proposals have been made to reconcile the data and theoretical predictions. In this paper we study these decays within the SM using flavor SU(3) symmetry. Treating the singlet ${\eta }_1$ and octet $({\pi }^{\pm ,0\mathrm{}}{,K}^{\pm },K^0{,K}^0,{\eta }_8)$ pseudoscalar mesons as a nonet multiplet, we find that if small annihilation amplitudes are neglected only 11 hadronic parameters are needed to describe $\overrightarrow{B}\mathrm{PP}$ decays where P can be one of the $\pi ,$ K, $\eta$ and ${\eta }^{\prime }$ mesons. We find that existing data are consistent with the SM. We also predict several measurable branching ratios and CP asymmetries for $\overrightarrow{B}K\left(\pi \right)\eta \left({\eta }^{\prime }\right),$ $\eta \left({\eta }^{\prime }\right)\eta \left({\eta }^{\prime }\right)$ decays. Experiments in the near future can provide important tests for the standard model with flavor symmetry.

• Received 23 June 2003

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.69.074002