Segment Information (Schedule of Segment Information) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment sales	$ 9,241		$ 10,209
Less: Transfers	69		81
Net sales	9,172		10,128
PTOI	1,941		2,248
Agriculture [Member]
Segment sales	3,937		4,394
Less: Transfers	0		3
Net sales	3,937		4,391
PTOI	1,174	[1]	1,442
Segment net assets	9,005			6,695
Increase in net assets	2,310
Electronics and Communications [Member]
Segment sales	521		580
Less: Transfers	4		3
Net sales	517		577
PTOI	85		75
Industrial Biosciences [Member]
Segment sales	285		301
Less: Transfers	5		3
Net sales	280		298
PTOI	56		56
Nutrition & Health [Member]
Segment sales	813		861
Less: Transfers	0		0
Net sales	813		861
PTOI	89		93
Performance Chemicals [Member]
Segment sales	1,364		1,591
Less: Transfers	29		57
Net sales	1,335		1,534
PTOI	129		206
Performance Materials [Member]
Segment sales	1,411		1,534
Less: Transfers	30		14
Net sales	1,381		1,520
PTOI	327		293
Safety and Protection [Member]
Segment sales	909		947
Less: Transfers	1		1
Net sales	908		946
PTOI	184		175
Other [Member]
Segment sales	1		1
Less: Transfers	0		0
Net sales	1		1
PTOI	(103)	[2]	(92)
Imprelis [Member]
Insurance recoveries for litigation	35
Cost basis investment impairment [Member]
Cost basis investment impairment	$ (37)

[1] Included $35 of insurance recoveries during the three months ended March 31, 2015 recorded in other operating charges for recovery of costs for customer claims related to the use of the Imprelis® herbicide. See Note 9 for additional information.

[2] Included a $(37) pre-tax impairment charge during the three months ended March 31, 2015 recorded in employee separation / asset related charges, net for a cost basis investment. See Note 3 for additional information.