Other (Charges) Gains, Net (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017		Sep. 30, 2016
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Other plant/office closures	$ 0	$ 0	$ 50		$ 0
InfraServ ownership change	0	0	(4)		0
Employee termination benefits	$ 0	$ 3	4	[1]	$ 11
Acetyl Intermediates [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Other plant/office closures			50
Acetyl Intermediates [Member] | Contract Termination [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Other plant/office closures			24
Acetyl Intermediates [Member] | Non-income tax receivable adjustment [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Other plant/office closures			$ 18
InfraServ GmbH & Co. Gendorf KG [Member] | Other Activities [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	39.00%		39.00%
InfraServ GmbH & Co. Knapsack KG [Member] | Other Activities [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	27.00%		27.00%
InfraServ GmbH & Co. Knapsack KG and InfraServ GmbH & Co. Gendorf KG [Member] | Other Activities [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
InfraServ ownership change			$ (4)
Scenario, Plan [Member] | InfraServ GmbH & Co. Gendorf KG [Member] | Other Activities [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	30.00%		30.00%
Scenario, Plan [Member] | InfraServ GmbH & Co. Knapsack KG [Member] | Other Activities [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	22.00%		22.00%

[1] Includes $1 million of special termination benefits included in Benefit obligations in the unaudited consolidated balance sheets.