Carbon can form a large number of compounds.

Explanation

Atomic number of carbon is 6 and its electronic configuration is (2,4).
(i) An atom of carbon has four valence electrons.
(ii) It can share these electrons with other carbon atoms and also with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur etc.
(iii) Carbon also shows the property of catenation. By virtue of this property, it can form a variety of chain and ring structures, with different shapes, sizes and molecular mass.
(iv) Thus, carbon can form a large number of compounds.