Carbon shows the maximum tendency to catenate.

 

Reasons:-

1) Greater M-M bond energy. (83 kcal/mol)

 

2) C-C bond energy is approximately of the same value as the energies of bonds between carbon and other elements.

     C-C  : 83 kcal/mol

     C-O  : 86 kcal/mol

     C-Cl  : 81 kcal/mol

 

Do ask me if you need more clarification...