In organic chemistry|lang=en terms the difference between cyclophane and cryptophane

is that cyclophane is (organic chemistry) any cyclic structure used as a base phane in the nomenclature of complex organic compounds while cryptophane is (organic chemistry) any of a class of large, cage-like compounds that can encapsulate smaller molecules.

As nouns the difference between cyclophane and cryptophane

is that cyclophane is (organic chemistry) a hydrocarbon consisting an aromatic unit (typically a benzene ring) and an aliphatic chain that forms a bridge between two positions of the aromatic ring; more complex derivatives (the superphanes) with multiple aromatic units and bridges forming cagelike structures are known while cryptophane is (organic chemistry) any of a class of large, cage-like compounds that can encapsulate smaller molecules.