From classical in-beam spectroscopy on the l~ l zC reaction, unambiguous ?'-ray assignments have been done for 116Xe, 116I and 116Te nuclei. The ground band levels observed in l a6Xe have been compared to those of heavier even-even xenon isotopes and to the IBA theoretical predictions. In addition, using the new ?,-ray assignments, evaporation cross-sections of the ~aSxe compound nucleus have been estimated and compared to the evaporation model calculations.Nuclear Reactions: 1~ 12C, E=48-61 MeV; measured a(E; Ey, 0), ? '-7-t coinc. 116Xe, 116I, 116Te, ltSSb, 112Te, 112Sn produced. 116Xe, 116Te deduced levels, J, n. Reaction cross-sections deduced. Enriched target, Ge(gi) detectors.