Hi Gozz -
I certainly wasn't avoiding the question - just had a bit of Real Life popping in and taking away any time I had available.
Your questions are excellent and I hope to answer and address this topic in a coherent fashion.
First let's look at the definition of a solvent: A solvent is a liquid that has the ability to dissolve, suspend, or extract other materials without causing a chemical change to the material or solvent. Water is a solvent but does not dissolve everything. The important thing about solvents is that to work as expected it needs to have similar chemical characteristics to the substance to be dissolved ("like dissolves like"). In the case of rubbing alcohol this is an "Oxygenated Solvent" and other similar solvents include glycol ethers, ketones, esters, and glycol ether esters. Once a solvent has completed its task it can be recovered, or evaporate, or be incinerated. One area where solvents are most useful is in the paint industry. Solvents help paint to dry (the solvent evaporates).
It is not unusual for a solvent to be combined with other chemicals in order to perform a specific task. In fact, rubbing alcohol depending on the percentage could be 30% or more water. Look at the label - there is a percentage of isopropyl alcohol with the rest approximately water.
So based on what we know so far, a solvent will not neutralize the urushiol oil BUT a proper solvent (one that can dissolve oily / greasy compounds) can cause the oil to go into solution. To remove the urushiol oil, one must then remove the solvent. For most of the recommendations to use a solvent, the application of water afterwards is recommended. We want to flush the toxin away from the skin.
Here comes the big problem with solvents - if its so good at dissolving urushiol oil how about our natural oils that protects the skin? Yup. Dissolves that as well. Most directions will tell you to avoid going back out into the environment of contact with urushiol-carrying plants as now you are even more susceptible. Your natural oils help to keep and/or delay the urushiol oil from penetrating the upper layers of skin.
Now to the specific questions. Rubbing alcohol will dissvole the urushiol oil but notice the definition - neither chemical is changed in composition so you'll want to wash it off with plenty of water to make sure all solvent and urushiol oil has been removed from the skin. Rubbing alcohol to my knowledge does not cause rapid oxidation of urushiol oil (neutralize it).
White vinegar is simply sour wine (vinaigre == French for sour wine). Vinegar has many properties including being a solvent but I'm not so sure that it would be a good solvent to remove urushiol oil. I've done some cruising and the implication though not written is that vinegar is excellent in may ways including removing stains, brightening colors, removing odors but not so for greasy / oily substances.
For that crucial 3 to 5 minutes of exposure, get that oil OFF the skin. That's the most important as its then not available to penetrate the upper skin layer, bond with lower skin cells, and set off the chain reaction leading to the rash. As for specific recommendations, I've seen about a 50-50 split from the experts. Some will tell you to use the solvent first, and then use soap and water (or sometimes just water). Others will tell you to use a good soap with water and then use a solvent. Oh and here's the smaller contingent that says - just a good soap and water will do the trick. There is a concern that with modern cosmetic soaps (which may contain oils) you may spread the oil around and not remove it.
I can tell you what I do but that doesn't mean it's "right". As I mentioned, there is definitely a divided camp as to how to proceed. Personally, I just use Dawn dish detergent and lots of water. Seems to work just fine for me. Dawn is very good at getting the oil off (it's that "grease fighting" ability).
As for your final question, a solvent does not break down the oil. It will simply dissolve or suspend the material. There is no chemical change.
Here are some reference sites that might help clear up the confusion:
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