Comment on "Validity of path thermodynamics in reactive systems''

TL;DR

This paper critiques a previous study by identifying misconceptions in the stochastic thermodynamics of reactive systems, specifically challenging claims about entropy production evaluation in complex reactions.

Contribution

It clarifies the correct stochastic formulation of chemical thermodynamics and refutes erroneous claims about entropy production in systems with multiple elementary reactions.

Findings

The previous claims about entropy evaluation are incorrect.

The stochastic formulation of reactive systems is clarified and corrected.

Misconceptions in the prior work are systematically addressed.

Abstract

The paper by Malek Mansour and Garcia [Phys. Rev. E 101, 052135 (2020)] is shown to be based on misconceptions in the stochastic formulation of chemical thermodynamics in reactive systems. Their erroneous claims, asserting that entropy production cannot be correctly evaluated using path probabilities whenever the reactive system involves more than one elementary reaction leading to the same composition changes, are refuted.