Catalyst component for the polymerization of olefins comprising Mg, Ti and an electron donor compound of the following formula (I) In which R to R 12 groups, equal to or different from each other, are hydrogen, halogen or C 1 -C 15 hydrocarbon groups, optionally containing an heteroatom selected from halogen, P, S, N and Si, with the proviso that R groups cannot be hydrogen and that the carboxylate groups are in trans configuration with respect to each other.