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 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199466051077)