Acquisitions, Dispositions, Ventures and Plant Closures (Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Mar. 31, 2010 Consumer Specialties [Member] Spondon, UK [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Consumer Specialties [Member] Spondon, UK [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Consumer Specialties [Member] Spondon, UK [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Acetyl Intermediates [Member] Pardies, France [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Acetyl Intermediates [Member] Pardies, France [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Acetyl Intermediates [Member] Pardies, France [Member]
Employee termination benefits	$ (22)	$ (32)	$ (105)		$ (4)	$ (15)	$ (4)	$ (6)	$ (60)
Asset impairments		(72)		(72)	0	(72)	0	(1)	(12)
Contract termination costs							0	(3)	(17)
Reindustrialization costs							0	(3)	0
Other							0	1	0
Total exit costs recorded to Other (charges) gains, net					(4)	(87)	(4)	(12)	(89)
Gain (loss) on disposition of assets, net	(2)	8	42				1	0	0
Inventory write-offs							0	(4)	0
Accelerated depreciation					(7)	(6)	0	0	(9)
Other					(3)	0	(4)	(8)	(8)
Total plant shutdown costs					$ (10)	$ (6)	$ (3)	$ (12)	$ (17)