  $Aims$: We revisit with new augmented accuracy the theoretical dynamics of
basic isotope exchange reactions involved in the $^{12}$C/$^{13}$C,
$^{16}$O/$^{18}$O, and $^{14}$N/$^{15}$N balance because these reactions have
already been studied experimentally in great detail. $Methods$: Electronic
structure methods were employed to explore potential energy surfaces,
full-dimensional rovibrational calculations to compute rovibrational energy
levels that are numerically exact, and chemical network models to estimate the
abundance ratios under interstellar conditions. $Results$: New exothermicities,
derived for HCO$^+$ reacting with CO, provide rate coefficients markedly
different from previous theoretical values in particular at low temperatures,
resulting in new abundance ratios relevant for carbon chemistry networks. In
concrete terms, we obtain a reduction in the abundance of H$^{12}$C$^{18}$O$^+$
and an increase in the abundance of H$^{13}$C$^{16}$O$^+$ and
D$^{13}$C$^{16}$O$^+$. In all studied cases, the reaction of the ion with a
neutral polarizable molecule proceeds through the intermediate proton-bound
complex found to be very stable. For the complexes OCH$^+$...CO, OCH$^+$...OC,
COHOC$^+$, N$_2$...HCO$^+$, N$_2$H$^+$...OC, and N$_2$HN$_2^+$, we also
calculated vibrational frequencies and dissociation energies. $Conclusions$:
The linear proton-bound complexes possess sizeable dipole moments, which may
facilitate their detection.
