Catalysts, systems, and methods for the conversion of biomass to chemicals

A method comprising:

• contacting muconic acid and hydrogen with a catalyst comprising:
• a solid support;
• a metal positioned on the solid support;
• and
• an oxide coating positioned to at least partially cover the metal,
• wherein:
• the metal comprises palladium,
• the solid support comprises at least one of titanium dioxide or alumina,
• the oxide coating comprises between one oxide coating and five oxide coatings of at least one of titanium dioxide or alumina,
• each oxide coating has a thickness between 1 nm and 5 nm,
• the metal has an accessibility between 85% and 95% as measured by carbon monoxide chemisorption,
• the metal is present at a concentration between 0.1 wt % and 1 wt % relative to the metal and the solid support, and
• the solid support is in the form of a cylinder having a characteristic length between 0.5 mm and 5 mm and a surface area between 25 m2/g and 200 m2/g as measured by nitrogen physisorption,
• wherein:
• the contacting is performed with the muconic acid in a liquid phase comprising an alcohol, and
• the contacting converts at least a portion of the muconic acid to adipic acid.