Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 14, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Registrant Name	CATALYST PHARMACEUTICAL PARTNERS, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001369568
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		54,145,633
Entity Public Float			$ 32,240,770