Which elements can carbon form compounds with?

Carbon can form compounds with a wide range of elements, including hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, halogens (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine), phosphorus, and various metals. Its ability to create strong covalent bonds allows carbon to engage in diverse combinations, resulting in countless organic and inorganic compounds. Carbon’s versatile bonding capabilities contribute to the formation of hydrocarbons, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, and numerous synthetic materials. The variety of elements with which carbon can bond is a key factor in the vast diversity observed in organic chemistry, shaping the composition of living organisms and influencing various industrial applications.