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			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)	$ 169	$ 178	[1]	$ 353	$ 289	[1]
Advanced Engineered Materials [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)	39	23	[1]	75	47	[1]
Consumer Specialties [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)	83	77	[1]	161	117	[1]
Industrial Specialties [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)	18	35	[1]	33	55	[1]
Acetyl Intermediates [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)	55	78	[1]	130	140	[1]
Other Activities [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)	(26)	(35)	[1]	(46)	(70)	[1]
As Previously Reported [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)		164			262
As Previously Reported [Member] | Advanced Engineered Materials [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)		21			42
As Previously Reported [Member] | Consumer Specialties [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)		75			114
As Previously Reported [Member] | Industrial Specialties [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)		34			53
As Previously Reported [Member] | Acetyl Intermediates [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)		77			137
As Previously Reported [Member] | Other Activities [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)		(43)			(84)
Effect of Change [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)		14			27
Effect of Change [Member] | Advanced Engineered Materials [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)		2			5
Effect of Change [Member] | Consumer Specialties [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)		2			3
Effect of Change [Member] | Industrial Specialties [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)		1			2
Effect of Change [Member] | Acetyl Intermediates [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)		1			3
Effect of Change [Member] | Other Activities [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)		$ 8			$ 14

[1] As Adjusted (Note 1)