  Aims: We wish to establish whether sequential star formation is taking place
at the periphery of the Galactic HII region Sh2-212.
  Methods: We present CO millimetre observations of this region obtained at the
IRAM 30-m telescope to investigate the distribution of associated molecular
material. We also use deep JHK observations obtained at the CFHT to study the
stellar content of the region, and radio observations obtained at the VLA to
look for the presence of an ultra-compact (UC) HII region and for maser
emission.
  Results: In the optical, Sh2-212 is spherically symmetric around its central
exciting cluster. This HII region is located along a molecular filament. A
thin, well-defined half ring of molecular material surrounds the brightest part
of the HII region at the rear and is fragmented. The most massive fragment
(~200 solar masses) contains a massive young stellar object displaying a
near-IR excess; its spectral energy distribution indicates a high-mass
(~14solar masses), high-temperature (~30000K), and high-luminosity (~17000
solar luminosities) source. This object ionizes a UC HII region.
  Conclusions: Sh2-212 is a good example of massive-star formation triggered
via the collect and collapse process. The massive YSO observed at its periphery
is a good candidate for a massive star formed in isolation.
