Atomization of carbon

Question

Why is it so much harder to atomize carbon than other main group elements? (717 kJ/mol is the atomization energy of C)

Answer 1

I assume that you mean ionize. Carbon has such high ionization energy because its valence is only half full when compared to the octet rule. Remember that C is 1s² 2s² 2p² which means its a total of 4e^- located in the outer most valence shell. It's easier to accept e^- (or covalently bond) vs taking them out of the valence shell (which is what ionization is).