Why can carbon never form more than a total of four bonds?

Question

Jeremiah Adams · Accepted Answer

Carbon can't form because if a carbon atom forms four bonds, it has a full valence shell and can't form any more bonds.

Chemistry has a rule known as the Octet Rule, which states that an atom is most stable when it has a full valence shell, or eight electrons. Carbon has six electrons total—two in its inner shell and four in its valence shell—and when it absorbs four electrons from other atoms to form ionic bonds, it acquires a full valence shell, which prevents it from forming any more bonds.

Natalie Anton · Answer

undefined Carbon can never form more than a total of four bonds because it has four valence electrons available for bonding. These electrons fill the four available orbitals in the outer shell of the carbon atom, allowing it to form up to four covalent bonds with other atoms. This arrangement satisfies the octet rule, ensuring that carbon achieves a stable electron configuration by sharing electrons with other atoms to complete its outer shell.