Acquisitions, Dispositions, Ventures and Plant Closures (Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs) (Details) (USD $) In Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Employee termination benefits		$ (5)	$ (17)		$ (18)	$ (26)
Gain (loss) on disposition of assets, net		(1)	(3)		(1)	12
Consumer Specialties [Member] | Spondon, UK [Member]
Employee termination benefits		2	(14)		(3)	(14)
Asset impairments	(72)	0	0	(72)	0	(72)
Total exit costs recorded to Other (charges) gains, net		2	(14)		(3)	(86)
Accelerated depreciation		0	(2)		(7)	(2)
Other		(2)	0		(2)	0
Total plant shutdown costs		(2)	(2)		(9)	(2)
Acetyl Intermediates [Member] | Pardies, France [Member]
Employee termination benefits		(2)	(2)		(4)	(4)
Asset impairments		0	0		0	(1)
Contract termination costs		0	0		0	(3)
Reindustrialization costs		0	0		0	(3)
Other		0	1		0	1
Total exit costs recorded to Other (charges) gains, net		(2)	(1)		(4)	(10)
Gain (loss) on disposition of assets, net		1	1		1	1
Inventory write-offs		0	0		0	(4)
Other		(1)	(1)		(3)	(6)
Total plant shutdown costs		$ 0	$ 0		$ (2)	$ (9)