In this study, an effective method by the sequential Fenton pretreatment and dilute NaOH extraction (FT-AE) was chosen for pretreating corn stover. Before dilute NaOH (0.75wt%) extraction at 90<SUP>o</SUP>C for 1h, Fenton reagent (0.95g/L of FeSO<SUB>4</SUB> and 29.8g/L of H<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>2</SUB>) was employed to pretreat CS at a solid/liquid ratio of ½0 (w/w) at 35<SUP>o</SUP>C for 30min. The changes in the cellulose structural characteristics (porosity, morphology, and crystallinity) of the pretreated solid residue were correlated with the enhancement of enzymatic saccharification. After being enzymatically hydrolyzed for 72h, the reducing sugars and glucose from the hydrolysis of 60g/L FT-AE-CS pretreated could be obtained at 40.96 and 23.61g/L, respectively. Finally, the recovered hydrolyzates containing glucose had no inhibitory effects on the ethanol fermenting microorganism. In conclusion, the sequential Fenton pretreatment and dilute NaOH extraction has high potential application in future.