36.11.1 Connection Considerations
Because the analog inputs employ Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) protection, they have diodes to VDD and VSS; therefore, the analog input must be between VDD and VSS. If the input voltage exceeds this range by greater than 0.3V (either direction), one of the diodes becomes forward biased, and it may damage the device if the input current specification is exceeded.
An external RC filter is sometimes added for antialiasing of the input signal. The R (resistive) component must be selected to ensure that the acquisition time is met. Any external components connected (through high-impedance) to an analog input pin (capacitor, Zener diode and so on) must have very little leakage current at the pin.