His idea that matter was a single basic substance that assumed different forms led to attempts by the alchemists to transmute other metals into gold.
(matter; was; a single basic substance that assumed different forms) (a single basic substance; assumed; different forms) (His idea that matter was a single basic substance; led; to attempts by the alchemists)
matter a single basic substance His idea that matter was a single basic substance
was assumed led
a single basic substance that assumed different forms
different forms
to attempts by the alchemists