Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity (Deficit) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Notes Receivable From Parent [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]		Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Total Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc. Deficit [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ (1,765)	$ 1	$ 533	$ (296)	$ (24)	$ 17	[1]	$ (1,997)	$ (1,766)	$ 1
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss	(16)	0	0	0	0	0		(16)	(16)	0
Other comprehensive income	29	0	0	0	0	29		0	29	0
Stock-based compensation expense	1	0	1	0	0	0		0	1	0
Distribution declared to parent ($0.02 per share)	(1)	0	(1)	0	0	0		0	(1)	0
Balance at Mar. 31, 2012	$ (1,752)	$ 1	$ 533	$ (296)	$ (24)	$ 46	[1]	$ (2,013)	$ (1,753)	$ 1

[1] Accumulated other comprehensive income at March 31, 2012 represents $159 of net foreign currency translation gains, net of tax, $1 of net deferred losses on cash flow hedges and a $112 unrealized loss, net of tax, related to net actuarial losses and prior service costs for the Company’s defined benefit pension and postretirement plans. Accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2011 represents $130 of net foreign currency translation gains, net of tax, $1 of net deferred losses on cash flow hedges and a $112 unrealized loss, net of tax, related to net actuarial losses and prior service costs for the Company’s defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans