Answer:
To form a wide range of compounds with other elements
Step-by-step explanation:
The ability of carbon to gain four more electrons allows this chemical specie to form a wide range of compounds.
When carbon gains four electrons, it becomes isoelectronic with neon and then becomes a stable compound or molecule as it combines with other atoms.
This leads to the proliferation of carbon compounds that we find in nature. Carbon can easily for covalent compounds with other compounds also.