Quarterly Financial Data (Schedule of Quarterly Financial Data) (Parenthetical) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Sep. 30, 2011 Danisco [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Danisco [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Danisco [Member] Employee Severance [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Danisco [Member] Transaction Costs [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Danisco [Member] Transaction Costs [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Danisco [Member] Fair Value Adjustment to Inventory [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Danisco [Member] Fair Value Adjustment to Inventory [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Imprelis [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Imprelis [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Imprelis [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Performance Materials [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Performance Materials [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Performance Materials [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Performance Materials [Member]
Business combination acquisition related charges								$ (171)	$ (103)	$ (36)	$ (3)	$ (60)	$ (132)	$ (43)
Upfront payment related to licensing agreement		(50)	(50)
Product Claims															(100)	(75)	(175)
Restructuring Charges	(14)				(50)	34	(210)												(2)		(110)
Benefit from Sale of Business Included in Other Income, Net (Before Tax)																		49	49
Tax benefit associated with sale of business																		73
Benefit for adjustment of accrued interest, before-tax				59
Benefit for adjustment of accrued interest, after-tax				38
Tax benefit associated with settlement of prior year tax contingencies				49
Reduction in estimated restructuring costs			34																	16	52
Charge on early extinguishment of debt			(179)
Benefit for reversal of tax valuation allowance			$ 39