The term was originally applied to describe the maximum flocking of either hard or
soft
ligands in the same complexes. For hydrocarbon molecules, symbiosis implies that those containing
a maximum number of
C–H bonds
(e.g.
CH4) or
C–C bonds
(e.g.
Me4C) are the most
stable.
Source:
PAC, 1994, 66, 1077
(Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994))
on page 1170