How far is complex balancing from detailed balancing?

Abstract

We clarify the relation between the algebraic conditions that must be satisfied by the reaction constants in general (mass–action) kinetics systems for the existence of detailed or complex balancing equilibria. These systems have a wide range of applications in chemistry and biology. Their main properties have been set by Horn, Jackson and Feinberg. We expect to extend our point of view to the study of qualitative features of the dynamical behavior of chemical interactions in molecular systems biology.