Synthesis of a novel diether–ester conjugated model compound for electron donors of the polypropylene catalysts

A novel diether-ester conjugated electron donor model compound, 1,3-dimethoxypropan-2-yl benzoate, was synthesized via a reaction of 1,3-dimethoxypropan-2-ol and benzoyl chloride in the presence of triethyl amine and 4-dimethylaminopryidine. Compared to the known routes of preparing diethers, which usually employ the reactions to O-alkylate the corresponding diols with O-alkylating reagents, the presented method here provides a new way to prepare the diether electron donor compounds. It avoids employing the traditional O-alkylation reactions, so that highly toxic O-alkylating chemicals, such as iodomethane, and very strong basic deprotonating reagents, such as alkoxides or metal hydrides, are not required. The product can be obtained in high yields without complicated purification processes. Catalyst component containing the electron donor compound was prepared and used to catalyze propylene polymerization.