Abstract We present the synthesis of a series of deuterated cryptophanes 2–6 by a slightly modified procedure used for cryptophane-A. We show that for [Xe@ cryptophane] complexes the use of variable-temperature one-dimensional 129 Xe magnetization transfer (1D-EXSY) allows the measurement of exchange rates. From these data the decomplexation activation energy E a has been estimated to be 37.5±2 kJ mol− 1. The decomplexation ...