A method of treating a halogenated polymeric-containing substrate including exposing at least portions of the halogenated polymeric-containing substrate to a composition containing a reducing agent and an aprotic solvent selected from the group consisting of nitriles, nitro compounds, amides, esters, carbonates, oxides, sulfo compounds and mixtures thereof. The solvent is free of ethers, amines, ammonia. The composition is prepared by reacting a metal with an organic compound selected from the group consisting of polyaryl compounds, aromatic carbonyl containing compounds, aromatic nitriles, and aromatic heterocyclic nitrogen containing compounds in a reaction solvent that does not react with the metal but permits reaction between the metal and the organic compound to thereby provide the reducing agent. The reducing agent is isolated from the reaction solvent to obtain a reaction product as a solid. The reaction product is added to the aprotic solvent. The treated substrate is contacted with a material to promote adhesion of the material to the treated surface.