Final answer:
Carbon's ability to form different types of compounds is due to the presence of four valence electrons in its outer shell.
Step-by-step explanation:
The property of carbon that allows it to form many different types of compounds is that it has four valence electrons in its outer shell. These valence electrons enable carbon to form covalent bonds with other atoms, allowing it to create a wide variety of molecular structures. This versatility of carbon is the basis for the complexity and diversity of organic chemistry.
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