Restructuring and Other - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012
Restructuring And Other [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	$ 94,703,000	[1]	$ 94,703,000	[1]
Restructuring and other charges, net of tax	73,590,000		73,590,000
Phosphorous flame retardants business exit, write off of net asset values			57,000,000
Write-off of foreign currency translation adjustment	12,300,000		12,300,000
Severance costs			13,141,000	[2]
Exit of phosphorous flame retardants business			8,700,000
Phosphorous flame retardants business exit, other exit costs			4,000,000
Charitable contribution			8,000,000
Charitable contribution, after income taxes			5,100,000
Settlement Of Litigation
Restructuring And Other [Line Items]
Gain of settlement of litigation			8,100,000
Gain of settlement of litigation, after income taxes			5,100,000
Estimated reimbursement of related legal fees			$ 900,000

[1] The three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2012 include charges amounting to $94,703 ($73,590 after income taxes) in connection with our exit of the phosphorous flame retardants business.

[2] The six months ended June 30, 2012 includes a charge of $13.1 million relating to reduction in force liabilities associated with our exit of the phosphorous flame retardants business noted above. The majority of the payments for this liability are expected to occur in 2012.