Description of the Company and Basis of Presentation (Schedule of Changes in Accounting Policy Regarding Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits - Segment Information) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)	$ 184	$ 111	[1]
Advanced Engineered Materials [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)	36	24	[1]
Consumer Specialties [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)	78	40	[1]
Industrial Specialties [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)	15	20	[1]
Acetyl Intermediates [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)	75	62	[1]
Other Activities [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)	(20)	(35)	[1]
As Previously Reported [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)		98
As Previously Reported [Member] | Advanced Engineered Materials [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)		21
As Previously Reported [Member] | Consumer Specialties [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)		39
As Previously Reported [Member] | Industrial Specialties [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)		19
As Previously Reported [Member] | Acetyl Intermediates [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)		60
As Previously Reported [Member] | Other Activities [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)		(41)
Effect of Change [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)		13
Effect of Change [Member] | Advanced Engineered Materials [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)		3
Effect of Change [Member] | Consumer Specialties [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)		1
Effect of Change [Member] | Industrial Specialties [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)		1
Effect of Change [Member] | Acetyl Intermediates [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)		2
Effect of Change [Member] | Other Activities [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)		$ 6

[1] As Adjusted (Note 1)