Company Operations By Business Unit (Net Sales For The Company's Business Units) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 639	$ 626	$ 1,968	$ 1,895
Research Chemicals [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	428	446	1,337	1,352
SAFC [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 211	$ 180	$ 631	$ 543

Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration