The invention relates to the field of a medical technology, and discloses a racemization method of (1R, 6S)-8-benzyl-7, 9-dioxo-2, 8- diazabicyclo (4, 3, 0) nonane. The method comprises the steps of (1) in ether solvent or polar aprotic solvent, carrying out oxidative dehydrogenation on the (1R, 6S)-8-benzyl-7, 9-dioxo-2, 8-diazabicyclo (4, 3, 0) nonane by taking elemental iodine and oxygen as co-oxidant to prepare 6-benzyl-5, 7-dioxo-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydron-pyrrolo (3, 4-b) pyrrole; (2) in ester solvent or alcohol solvent, carrying out catalytic hydrogenation on oxidative product by taking Pd/ Al2O3 as a catalyst to obtain the racemic cis-8-benzyl-7, 9-dioxo-2, 8-diazabicyclo (4, 3, 0) nonane. The method is simple in technology, convenient to operate, mild in reaction conditions, etc.