I actually have a chart that outlines how and Alchemist power might work 

[hider=chart][u]Transformation Descriptions[/u]
[list]
[*]Disassembly (D) = a single shift in molecular structure; ie. solid to gas, liquid to gas, turning diamond to coal ect.
[*]Reshaping (R) = Gross changes in an object ie. ingot to bar, lump to sphere.
[*]Assembly (A) = a single shift in molecular structure; ie. solid to gas, liquid to gas, turning diamond to coal ect.[/list]

[u]Simple[/u]
[list]
[*]D = a multiple shift in molecular structure from dense to diffuse, ie solid to gas, or material change involving one element such as removing carbon from sugar or iron from steel
[*]R = retooling into simple distinct forms, ie turning a chink of steel into a nut or bolt
[*]A = multiple shift in molecular structure ie solid to gas such as adding hydrogen to oxygen to make water.[/list]

[u]Complex[/u]
[list]
[*]D = material change involving two or three elements ie stripping water from wood, rust from a tool
[*]R = retooling into a simple interlocking or interconnected device ie steel bolts into a revolver
[*]A = material change affecting two or three elements, ie combining hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon to form sugar and so forth[/list]

[u]Intricate[/u]
[list]
[*]D = change affecting three or more elements
[*]R = retooling into complex mechanical, ie steel bar into an automatic pistol, brass paper weight into pocket watch
[*]A = change affecting three or more elements[/list][/hider]