Chemistry of carbon

Carbon is a versatile element essential to all living things and many materials around us. It has four electrons in its outer shell, allowing it to form stable bonds with many other atoms, including itself. This ability leads to a wide variety of molecules, from simple gases like carbon dioxide to complex compounds like plastics and DNA. Carbon's unique bonding creates diverse structures—chains, rings, and frameworks—making it foundational in organic chemistry. Its versatility underpins life’s complexity and the creation of countless useful materials in science and industry.